by Pepper Pace
We got to the airstrip about an hour before dawn. We watched the sky carefully neutral; Julie and I. Tyler was half out of it still from my relaxing bite but Monica and Karen were tense and I could taste it in the air.
The Council man leaped out of the limo as it came to a halt. He opened our door and we piled out.
The little man was careful to stay clear of Tyler who was being supported on each side by Karen and Monica.
“Don’t worry.” Alexis spoke using my vocal chords and mouth. “I will be on the plane with you for as long as possible. If anything happens to you or your entourage I will kill every Vampire in Spain.”
His words were chilling but helped to ease my fear. I knew that he would do exactly as he said or die trying.
The little Council member seemed to tremble at the cold words.
Like I said before, being turned into a Vampire as a Third Generation meant that I hadn’t attained any Vampire knowledge. I didn’t know what an Elder was, or what power they welded. At my most vulnerable moment I turned to Alexis openly and innocently and he responded. It wasn’t until later that I learned that I should have been deathly afraid of him. Alexis’ power was so strong that he could kill with just a thought.
This Council man was not ignorant of the power of an Elder. He was afraid. All of us could feel it and that put my ladies at ease.
We boarded the plane that was already prepared for flight, leaving the frightened Council member on the ground with not even a backwards look. Our confidence that he’d be stupid to set us up seemed to scare him more.
On board the plane was state of the art. It looked like the inside of a high priced hotel lobby. Even Julie, that had seen it all, was staring open mouthed.
We hurried inside, mindful of the quickly approaching dawn. Tyler woke up enough to scope out the plane and pointed us to a rear room that was completely windowless. The comfortable seats pulled out into full size beds and still there was enough room to hold four coffins.
Julie and I sighed simultaneously as Monica went around and closed all of the windows at the main entrance of the plane. We were now sealed in tight against the sun.
An accented voice came in over a loud speaker announcing that we would depart in five minutes. The ladies relaxed in the comfortable seats and belted up for take off. Karen was cursing that she didn’t have any of her luggage and Monica was reassuring her that our things could easily be shipped to the states.
Julie bid them good night and we climbed into the comfy but securely strapped down coffins.
“I hope…” Julie began but didn’t finish. I nodded.
“See you in the states.” She nodded in response.
Once the lid was secured and I was comfortable I felt Alexis stir again. “You can’t come here again…You know that, don’t you?”
“You can’t mean that I’m banned from the entire continent!”
“At least for two hundred fifty years. Until I’m free again.”
“What abou-”
“Don’t even think her name. It’s not safe.”
“Alexis teach me how to stay awake in the day.”
“I can’t. It will happen when you are strong enough to withstand the sun. But with our bond you are much stronger than ever before. My love, I need to understand something.” I watched him intently. “What is this Creature you turn into?”
Alarmed I didn’t answer. How could he ask ME? I was the one that should have been asking him!
“Alexis, I saw you turn into a Creature the night Tony saw us kissing.”
“Yes, because I am old enough to know that my body is no longer the matter that you understand, but something that we can willfully manipulate. Neratomay can’t turn into Creatures…however a very powerful Neratomay can manipulate their own matter. Even the very newly created Neratomay can mask their other worldliness or become super-sized when angered. But what you did was turn into something different. Kim, what I saw was something I’ve never seen before.”
My limbs felt heavy and I realized that they had been growing heavier for a while and I hadn’t noticed. No…not yet! I needed more time-
“Alexis what are you trying to say?”
“Kim. We both know that you are not like other Neratomay-”
CHAPTER 7
When my eyes opened I was no longer in the coffin. Alexis…! No! What was he trying to tell me?
I squinted, so used to light bothering my eyes. But now I was back to normal and the artificial light from the lamp no longer caused me pain. I sat up slowly. Julie was sitting at my feet, which was the end of a comfortable couch.
“Welcome back to the States.” Julie was smiling.
I looked around. We made it. “Where are we?”
“New York.”
“Alexis?” But there was no answer. Shit! I felt a sudden emptiness. We’d spent our last minutes together discussing…that Creature. I shivered.
“Are you okay?” Julie asked.
“I’m okay. Where is everyone?” I stood up. We were apparently in a hotel room and it was a nice one.
“Karen took Tyler to the hospital as soon as we landed. She needed surgery to repair the break. The fracture was compound and pretty bad.”
“Is she going to be okay?” I felt so guilty. I hadn’t wanted Tyler or any of them to be in danger and had it not been for Alexis’ intervention…
“She’s okay. She’s going to be released tomorrow.”
“Can you take me to her?”
“It’s late. We won’t be able to visit her.”
I sighed. “Well, at least we’re home. Almost home.”
“I’ve been patient. Tell me what happened when I left you at Epic Cu…I’ve pretty much figured out that you can withstand the sun. I don’t understand how, but you can.”
I sat down again. “It’s true. I’m a daywalker.”
“And there are others?”
“What I’m about to tell you is known by very few Vampires. Tony doesn’t even know. But you are my core group and I can’t have a secret like this from you. I’ve been told that there are less than 100 known day walkers in the entire World.”
Judy just stared into space. She wasn’t moving a muscle, not even pretending to breathe which like me, she did automatically. “It makes sense now.” She looked at me again. “The punishment had to be changed or everyone would know that you could withstand the sun. Then why the hell did they make you suffer so?! Why torture you when you were scratching each other’s backs?”
“Because they suspected that I was trying to trick them into saving Tige and getting out of my punishment at the same time. They didn’t want me in the sun but they wanted me dead. Alexis wouldn’t allow that and he went over their heads and got a punishment for me that would cause death…but not a sentence of death. I thought it was all semantics but obviously it wasn’t.”
“When you stayed there on the porch of Epic Cu did you know for sure that you were a…day walker?”
“I didn’t have a reason to disbelieve him…still I didn’t see how it could be possible. You see how long I sleep. Much longer then other Vampires I know. Still I was burning when he brought me in from the sun. He healed those burns and then he took my other scars.” I shook my head. “Our bond is so strong now that I don’t know how I’ll be able to exist with out him.”
Julie watched me quietly. “You love him…but is it the bond? Do you really love the Man?”
I was surprised at the question. Sure Alexis was a mystery to everyone else…but was he that fucking creepy? Well, Yeah. He probably was…
“I can’t say if I know what the difference is. I’ve come to the realization that I’m ME but I’m someone else…something else. My feelings are real. But which version of ME is feeling it.”
Julie was staring at me hard. “You are so different. I remember being human but I don’t feel human. Oh I can pretend…but you. You are human. And you’re Neratomay.”
“And apparently I’m some kind of Creature.”
“Alexis doesn’t seem to understand it either. I’ve seen him turn into this horrible…monster. But he says that he manipulated his body forcing it into that shape. But he believes that what I am is something that can turn…change. I don’t get it.”
Julie finally relaxed. “Well I don’t believe that you’re the only one and don’t you believe it either. You’re not the only succubus, or the only daywalker and I don’t believe that you’re the only Vampire that can change when you’re provoked.”
I wanted to tell her about Paul then, but somehow it didn’t seem right to speculate about it with her. I decided to change the subject.
“Julie…do you know about Athena?”
“Hmmm. Athena created Alexis. It is rumored that Alexis’ unrequited love drove him to the brink. His reckless disregard for rules and his penchant for torture seems to be rooted to his love for Athena. I don’t know much about her. She’s very powerful.”
“But not an Elder.”
“No. An Elder directly manipulates the activities of the world…through the various Vampire Councils. But above the Elder Council there is something else…something that branches into hundreds of different areas. Older. More powerful. She is a part of that world.”
“There are only a handful of Daywalkers.” I said thoughtfully.
“And they’re all Elders I bet.”
“Therefore being a day walker isn’t the most powerful thing out there.”
It was scary to think that there was something more powerful then the ability to walk in the day. Could the knowledge of such a thing really cause a Vampire war? I didn’t want to be in the middle of it if so.
Julie bounced in her seat. “So what else happened after Alexis brought you inside. Was he angry at you? Did he leap into your arms?”
I sat down next to her again and smiled shyly. Leaving out the details of our lovemaking I recounted the story happy to be able to relive it. When I was done Julie watched me curiously.
“The Alexis I know would never behave like that.”
“I’m trying to tell you all. Alexis is not the man you all think he is. He’s a better man then you all have given him credit for.”
“Perhaps.” She didn’t seem to believe me. I found that I really didn’t care. I loved Alexis…even knowing the evil that he had done in the past.
“I wish we could go shopping since we’re in New York. Monica didn’t leave us any money did she?”
“No. But I can have someone bring us money.” She sat back and her eyes took on a glazed look. “How much should we ask for?”
I shrugged. “Ten thousand?”
She nodded and her attention turned from me.
Being a Master Vampire had its perks. Sometimes I forgot to enjoy the perks; being preoccupied with healing from the burns and the running for my life. I had millions in various bank accounts and investments. Not only me but all the females that worked with me were filthy rich. However, money wasn’t a motivation for aligning ones self with the undead. Longevity was the real benefit.
I have to be honest. Money doesn’t mean the same thing since being a Vampire. I can’t grasp the fact that I’m a millionaire…because really I’m not rich. I’m a prisoner of the Neratomay. I have responsibilities and rules that I have to abide by. I have thousands of people that are under my watch; whether they know it or not. I juggle the Council and Elders as well as countless Vampires that serve under me that would see me dead so that they can replace me. When Vampires have beef with each other it’s never pretty. Nine times out of ten somebody dies. Being that I don’t know half of what other Vampires intuitively know I’m constantly surprised by some obscure law or ability.
For instance, a month ago we received a report that a master Vampire had enslaved a human as his sexual servant. When we found the woman she had been imprisoned by this bastard for close to seventy years. She’d had children with him! A Vampire had impregnated a human?! How the hell was that possible? When I asked Tony about it he just shrugged and said that it wasn’t common but it could happen. A male Vampire could impregnate a human female.
Nobody seemed to think that was mind blowing news. The offsprings were always human until they reached adulthood. Then the Vampire would kick in and they would become impervious to death unless it was a vampire’s death. The children (adult Vampires now) and she had been forced to live with him in some quasi-medieval love thing. We didn’t kill him although the Council banished him from the States for 100 years. He was forced to give her half of all of his assets—which surprisingly, he didn’t argue over.
And what about what happened in Epic Cu? Who knew that witches were real and that there were actual spells out there?
I’m still learning and feeling like I’m on the edge of a precipice. Feeling like that makes it difficult to stand still and look at the fact that there’s millions of dollars somewhere out of sight that I have at my disposal. And when you’re all burned up with no eyelids you really don’t give much thought to going on shopping sprees.
So, I haven’t had much of a chance to enjoy being newly rich. Until now. And I was pretty excited about hitting some of the hot New York shops. Only one thing could make it better and that was if my family could be with me. But I don’t think about that. My death had been faked and my company was paying a great deal of money to them including my best friend, Arnitra.
I shook my head quickly and went to the bathroom to freshen up. When I went back to the main room which was a really large living room I saw that Julie had been joined by Ran. He was her Vampire Assistant. We all speculated that Julie chose Ran because he looked like he could pass for her Dad. She was fair skinned with golden brown hair. Ran was, too. He had been turned in his mid to late thirties and didn’t act like the old stuffy Vampires that you usually see. Ran was hip and cool and kept up with current culture. He sported a short choppy hair cut that was messy and styled all at the same time. He wore jeans and cowboy boots and a pale blue Henley shirt covered by an unbuttoned, long sleeved madras shirt. Over that was a brown leather jacket.
He turned to me and winked. “What’s up, Kim.”
“Hey Ran.”
He dug in his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. He fanned them and slapped them playfully into Julie’s hands.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Don’t spend it all in one place young lady.” He joked. He waved at me and then disappeared.
It never ceased to amaze me when I saw a Vampire disappear like that, even though I could do it, too. It just looked so damn cool. Julie looked pleased as punch whenever Ran was around. I know that Julie isn’t actually a child but I think there are times when Ran actually is like a surrogate father for her…then there are times that I think they are more. Her own parents had died of natural causes hundreds of years before. And Ran had never had children so I think they were happy with the role playing they did.
Julie handed me the cash. “The hotel called a limo for us. Where should we go first?” I shrugged.
“We’ll ask the limo driver.”
***
The limo driver really knew his stuff and took us to shops where I could find urban gear as well as sexy sophisticated fashions. Julie bought quite a bit of gothic styled clothes. I always wondered about her having the mind of a woman but the body of a prepubescent girl. If it bothered her she never showed it and seemed content with the benefits of being a child. If she had a boyfriend or a sex life she never mentioned it. She just seemed very asexual.
When we got back to the hotel Monica and Karen were already there. I had spoken telepathically with them telling them of our plans to shop.
We spent almost every bit of the money. I bought sexy lingerie and underwear. I bought Apple Bottoms as well as Dolce and Gabbana. I bought Jimmy Choo and Prada.
Julie had bags of spiked chokers and patterned tights. She bought combat boots and leather pants. She bought expensive t-shirts bearing rock stars and anime cha
racters. After we showed off our new things I sat every one down.
“Look. I want to talk to you all about everything that’s happened.” I knew that I wanted to apologize to them but I didn’t know how to start.
“When Tyler told me that Alexis was being imprisoned I can barely remember how it happened, but I got so mad that I lost control…no. I felt like something else took control. I didn’t even know something like that shouldn’t be happening to me. I mean, I knew it was weird. I just didn’t know that it was WRONG. Still…I didn’t try to stop the rage that brought that…that creature out. My actions were all my own and,” I shrugged, “I can’t even say that I still wouldn’t have run over to Spain to try to save Alexis, but I know that I won’t ever let my own…desires, hurt any of you again. You ladies have been my friends and my confidants, my security…my family. I’m ashamed that I put you all at risk. I just want to ask for your forgiveness-”
Karen stood up quickly. “Kim…I’ve wanted to tell you this a long time ago. Since you’re speaking from the heart I feel like I should say that it’s a blessing having you in my life. I try to always show confidence in my work and in my life. But it’s all an act. Being around the Neratomay has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Before you, every day scared me. You never knew if you’d be served up on a platter for the pleasure of your master or if you’d be killed in a fit. Yeah you turned into something…but that monster had nothing on the monster we’ve all been living with for years. I accept your apology Kim but it’s not necessary. I’d do anything for you because you’re family.”
I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat.
Monica nodded. “Kim, for the first time in thirty-five years, I enjoy my life. Working with you, I feel like we’re returning something to the world, setting up the shelter homes and ending the Vampire bondage of humans has…” tears ran down her cheeks. “has saved my soul.”
Julie patted her hand but watched me. “Thank you for apologizing. But even if you had torn into each of us, you…we’d still know that you are the best thing that has ever happened to us…to the Vampire nation. When we are overzealous in our attempts to protect you it’s not just because we don’t want you hurt. It’s also because we don’t want to go back to the way things were. And without you we would.”