by Aiden James
But that’s a subject for another time.
Chanson was the first to visit me. I initially mistook her presence in my hut as Yangani, thinking she was up much earlier than usual.
“Who’s there?” I whispered into the darkness, as the shadowed shape moved from my hut’s doorway to my bedside.
Less than a day before Alaia’s birth, I wasn’t agile enough to defend myself from any intruders. The male guards outside my door were all I had for protection.
“Yangani? Reveal yourself now or I’ll scream!”
Praying fervently that one of Ralu’s assassins hadn’t finally found me, I rose up in my bed and tried to clear my mind as Kazikli had taught me, finding it much more difficult to do under pressure.
“Txema, it’s me, Chanson,” said the dim figure, as she picked up a candle from a table near the doorway. A spark lit it, and cast enough light to illuminate her smiling face.
“Oh my God, it is you!” I squealed, incredibly excited to see her. Four months of forced distractions to not think about her or the others crumbled, and I felt such intense joy. “You’ve finally come!” Okay, maybe I did miss the modern world and my friends some.
“Yes, Kazikli finally told us where you’ve been hidden.” She paused to set the candle on a smaller table next to my pillow. “I should’ve known it would be someplace like this, beyond the reach of even prying psychic eyes―including those of us who care deeply for you, cousin. Come.”
She motioned for me to stand, in order to get a good look at me―especially my bulging middle. Her smile grew even brighter, and she wrapped her arms around me in a hug that was much warmer than I expected. Either the heat came from a recent feed or possibly the result of her swift nighttime travel from Xu Zheng Palace or wherever she came from. Slightly disappointed, I briefly entertained the hope of her coolness helping to bring down my body’s feverish temperature.
“It won’t be long, Txema,” she said, her tone bearing the smooth, soothing touch I had long missed hearing. “Before tonight’s moon crosses the Kosi River you will give birth to your baby girl!”
Her beautiful eyes bore the glint of primeval fire. Despite her familial fondness of me and my daughter as her own bloodline, I knew she was excited for the long-term promise that Alaia’s birth and lifeline would mean to the hundreds of vampires who would draw small quantities of her blood from time to time. The same fate awaited me also, and much sooner, since after the birth recovery, I would be the only viable source for that blood. My smile faltered.
Surely, even the vilest vampires in Gustav’s kingdom knew this fact, as well. But, if it kept my daughter untapped until she was old enough to deal safely with the experience, then I’d gladly do it. I believed Chanson would do the same, if she were still human.
“Where are the others?” I tried to cheer myself up with thoughts of friends such as Garvan and Tyreen, and then of Armando and Raquel. “Did you move on from the palace, or are you still there?”
She regarded me with some seriousness for a moment, although her smile only slightly faded.
“We were almost kicked out of the palace after you disappeared,” she said, and her tone betrayed some anger. “Kazikli and Nora were banished, and almost half of the other vampires left with them. They all retired to an ancient fortress in northern India―one that he apparently owns, but had never mentioned to any of us before. Only Gustav knew of it. Tensions remained between our king and Huangtian Dadi, and the rest of the European contingent relocated to this fortress in March. Xuanxang has also joined us, since his Chinese peers accused him of treason for his role in your escape. Only Gustav’s intervention prevented his execution, and he was released from the palace dungeon to Gustav’s custody the very night we traveled to India.”
“Wow,” was all I could say. I guess a lot did happen after I left the ranch. And here I imagined all was well in vampire-land, once the pregnant blood sack was out of the picture.
Chanson eyed me curiously. Her fading smile turned more bemused, as if she picked up enough fragmented images from my head to piece together most of a puzzle.
“So, I guess everyone’s angry with me for leaving without saying goodbye,” I said, when she continued to study me with that queer expression on her face. “You all should know it wasn’t on purpose—”
“It’s not your fault!” she yelled, shaking her head. “None of us are angry with you! If anything, the anger comes from how frail our alliances have become since Ralu’s rise to power. Across the world, we are hearing of factions and wars among other groups either ready to join his growing legions out of fear, or instead, they’re contracting assassins to either kill him or the source of his ire.”
Her lips trembled, and a single blood tear formed in the corner of her right eye. Before it could stain her porcelain face with an uneven stream to her chin, I used the corner of my robe to catch it and wipe her cheek clean. But, unlike Tyreen’s breakdown at the palace at Christmas, Chanson caught herself before she fully gave in to her emotions. Even so, she allowed me to take her in my arms and hold her. Bound by the same bloodline, I truly felt as though we were sisters across time. Whether it was due to Alaia’s development granting me some kind of psychic ability, some projection of Chanson’s power, or even my own developing intuition as a result of the introspection and meditation of the last few months, I knew in that instant she’d never betray either my daughter or me—no matter what became of the unstable political vampire alliances that had already pitted immortal allies against one another.
“Am I wrong to assume that I’m still the source of Ralu’s ire that you mentioned?” I said, once her trembling had ceased. “If so, I must also assume it’s not just me, it’s anyone carrying the birthmark.”
“You are correct,” she said, pulling away to study my face once more. “You’re marked as the very reason a world war among vampires looms on the horizon, and since only a very small number need your blood to maintain their status in the vampire world, the Kingdom of Europe and our smaller allies in North and South America are in danger of extinction. Ralu and his allies, including the Chinese Empire who had once been neutral, would like nothing more than to see us fall.”
“Then, where can Alaia and I go? What place on earth would be safe enough―other than someplace like here, this village?”
“I don’t honestly know,” she said. Her eyes grew sad, sadder than I’ve ever seen them. “As long as Ralu lives, he will want to destroy the only thing that truly stands in his way to full world domination―both vampire and human combined―and the other vampire nations are fools not to see it. Gustav will always be his enemy of course, unless Ralu wins and Gustav and the rest of us become Chupacabras.”
“So, now it’s a race to either kill him or me… and now Alaia,” I said, rehashing the obvious and covering my belly protectively. “You may be in danger, too.”
“No, Txema. Since I’m no longer human, the mark I bear is of no concern to them. Unless Racco can come up with a way to make an infertile vampire a fertile human again, the only threat to Ralu’s full conquest is you. You and Alaia.”
I have to admit, for a moment, my own irritation rose at the mention of her and Racco in the same context as making babies. It brought me right back to that raw emotion I experienced when Kazikli first told me of it back in January. I so badly wanted to grill her about what happened between them, but this wasn’t the right time, especially in light of what we faced together. Hell, at the very root of this crisis was Chanson’s sacrifice to watch over her daughters’ continuation of our sacred bloodline. That would count for very little if that effort died with my daughter and me.
“Perhaps Kazikli can come up with something,” I said, not thinking of how this statement would be received.
“How so?” She sounded suspicious.
“Well, he made himself into a pretty impressive pterodactyl to bring me here and do you know anyone else with a cane that emits purple lightning bolts?” I said, choosing to stay with common kn
owledge, since these were facts she surely already knew. No sense in bringing up what I’d learned since. “If nothing else, he might know of another hiding place, if it looks like Alaia and I won’t be able to remain here for long.”
Plenty of truth and enough fact avoidance to pass for a crafty politician, or so I hoped.
“Perhaps you’re right about that,” said Chanson, her tone and expression softening.
“I hope so,” I said. “I really do.”
She might get irritated if she ever learns what I withheld from her, but I knew she’d forgive me. Just as I’d forgive her for never mentioning her long ago romance with the man I was on the verge of falling in love with.
I knew it all for only one reason.
In that very moment, I had already forgiven her.
will never forget the night my daughter was born to an audience of midwives, monks, and vampires.
You don’t see that every day on General Hospital.
In all seriousness, it was magical in so many ways. Of course, it was also the most agonizing experience I’ve ever gone through, as well. The contractions began soon after dawn and grew steadily more intense, until I thought I’d either kill one of the Nepalese servants standing closest to me in a rage or scream myself into unconsciousness. If not for the constant attention from the midwives and the gentle strokes from the women who had nursed me along since my arrival, I don’t know how I could’ve possibly endured this. But I’m beyond thankful that I did, and hearing Alaia’s first cries pulled on my heart and soul more than anything I’d ever felt in my life.
While the older women bathed her, I was drawn to the moonlight pouring into the hut and the presence of my long-absent vampire protectors gathered near the doorway. Chanson had been by my side during the latter portion of my ordeal; the memory was blurry, but I recognized her purple sarong. Tyreen and Raquel had also been close by, offering soothing words while all three delivered soft, cool strokes along my face, neck, and arms to ward off the burning heat surging throughout my body as my daughter was born. All were flushed and pink, having eaten before entering the hut, no doubt a precaution against an untimely feeding frenzy, and the only moment of sorrow in an otherwise joyous occasion came on as I realized just how far removed from life these poor creatures truly were.
“She is perfect in every way, and every bit as beautiful as I knew she’d be!” gushed Kazikli, dressed in a dark cloak and carrying his infamous cane. He peered over the shoulder of the woman holding my daughter while one of the midwives finished wrapping her in a soft green blanket.
Garvan and Armando joined him after he motioned to them and one other female vampire to come have a look. The female’s look of joy and compassion easily surpassed Kazikli’s from a moment ago, and she looked over at me.
“Txema, she is so, so wonderful!” she said, and even before she removed her hood, I recognized Nora’s distinct British accent. “The name ‘Alaia’ does indeed befit her.”
A slight scar crossed one cheek that bore the redness of a recent injury. I never thought something like that could happen to the undead, but it was through that wound’s persistence I learned of Huangtian Dadi’s dragon form and talons which drip with a poison so toxic it is fatal even to immortals. The heartless emperor of China had left one of the kindest vampires I’ve ever known with a ‘going away’ present upon her banishment from his palace.
Nora had suffered on my account, and yet her compassion never waned. If I ever did become a vampire, I vowed to be like her… so elegant and noble, and with such an unselfish heart.
“She is ready for you, Txema,” said Yangani, after the midwives spoke to her and anxiously pointed to the vampires in the room. It was the first time I had seen them so nervous, and realized the sheer number of undead spectators had pushed these poor women out of their comfort zone. “Would you like to hold your daughter?”
“Please!” I motioned for the midwife holding Alaia to bring her to me. “I’m ready to take her.”
As the midwife approached, a tangible sense of my daughter’s presence swept over me. So much more than could be contained in the closed confines of my little hut was wrapped inside the blanket. And she was beautiful—in every sense of the word.
Yes, I’m sure some of this is simply a proud new momma’s altered perception. We all think our kids are perfect. Right? And without being there with me―with all of us―there would be no way to substantiate the awe and wonder that filled my hut. No, it wasn’t anything like Jesus’ Second Coming either. But, there was something about her we all noticed. Beyond being so precious in the classic sense, she carried something quite powerful within her soul.
“She has the aura of a princess,” said Yangani. “There have been two yogis born in this region during her long lifetime, Nagira says, and she claims this child carries the same kind of aura.”
Chanson and Kazikli nodded. Meanwhile, Alaia stared into my face with the most peaceful expression of such innocent love. The room was too dim for me to clearly see her eye color… but it was somewhere between dark brown and hazel. The twin ‘teardrop’ birthmark was faintly visible on the left side of her neck. She opened her hands, and I placed my right pinky inside her left one. Too new and fragile to grip anything, she closed her hands around it anyway.
I could feel her determination to rule her tiny body, despite being in the first hour of her life. At that moment, it occurred to me my ability to read other’s thoughts had lessened significantly since Alaia’s birth. I couldn’t read her thoughts. As I gazed around the room, I heard only a mumble, where before the local Nepalese dialects echoed like background chatter in my head. Worse yet, my vampire companions eyed me curiously, as if my thoughts no longer remained secret.
“Oh shit,” I whispered, to which my daughter made a whimpering sound that drew my focus back to her.
She was smiling at me.
The moon was shy of fullness, and from the moment of Alaia’s birth until it reached its zenith above the Kosi River two nights later, my protectors stayed among us. As intense as their care and protection had been for me up until now, it seemed even more fervent. They took turns coddling my baby, and I was especially surprised by Garvan’s ability to get Alaia to stop crying the quickest when she was hungry.
“It certainly appears that like most young girls, this one has fallen for a cute blond!” Raquel quipped, watching Garvan from my bed. I was changing into a colorful sarong brought for me by Chanson, and Tyreen said she helped pick it out from several silk chests they stumbled upon in Kazikli’s castle fortress. No one had revealed the fortress’s exact location yet, although it had to be somewhere in the same climate region as the village, based upon the India/Nepal border information they’d given me earlier. “But watch out for when Alaia grows up—she’ll break many more hearts than you could ever dream of, pretty boy!”
“As long as she stays safe from harm, I’ll be delighted to teach her the fine art of flirting and hiding the secrets of her heart!” he said, beaming as he gently bounced her in her latest blanket—a bright yellow one—while casting a devilish look us. A sudden breeze blew into the hut and drew our attention toward the doorway.
Chanson and Tyreen flanked Armando as they stepped inside, dressed in similar attire to the rest of us. We were definitely ready for a little party, Nepalese style this time. I hoped we kept things respectfully quiet for my gracious hosts who seemed less than keen on Western festiveness.
“You would teach our dearest Alaia how to effectively flirt? Is that the crock of burning beetle dung that a moment ago singed my nose and stung my ears?” said Armando as he slid away from the ladies and peered over Garvan’s left shoulder at my baby girl. “Don’t listen to this blond headed fool, only take advice from the very best at the game of love―me!”
He blew a kiss through his fingers at Alaia and lightly pinched Garvan’s nose before rejoining Tyreen and Chanson. They all laughed, along with a merrier giggle from Raquel.
I couldn’t help chucklin
g myself, which drew a wounded look from Garvan, until I gave him a hug while reclaiming my child.
“If you can care for her as you’ve cared for me, she’ll always be in great hands,” I said, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
“That, Txema, is something you’ll always be able to count on from me,” he said, as his dimpled grin turned sheepish. “I’ll always be there for both of you.”
“I know you will,” I said, offering him a warm smile. I turned my attention to the rest of our group. “Where are Kazikli and Nora?”
“They’re already at the riverside,” said Chanson. “We’ll need to leave in a few minutes to be there on time.”
“Now, what are we doing again?” I knew we were planning something beyond the waking hours of everyone in the village except Suddhodana, but the details given earlier beyond that were sketchy.
“It’s a surprise, silly!” Raquel blurred from the bed to my side, and resumed an earlier game of peek-a-boo with Alaia. “Don’t get all stuck in the details, or it won’t be as much fun.”
I’ve said before how I hate when they move like that, but my daughter’s widening smile made it easier for me to chill. Still, the mention of words from my thoughts in Raquel’s reply was beginning to annoy me. They had all done this several times during the past two days. It would take some time getting used to their unfettered mind-voyeurism again.
“It’s merely a formality for how we mark the beginning of a new bloodline era,” said Chanson. “It will be quick, painless, and yes… fun. It’s definitely a once in a lifetime event, I assure you.”
Despite wanting to believe them, I felt nervous about taking my newborn to a river that had several deep, swirling pools close to the shoreline. I assumed we’d be going someplace near the same spot where Kazikli caught our dinner four months earlier. The local women frequently traveled back and forth from the same general area, but I had yet to venture out of the village since my arrival. Maybe my own isolation is what made me so nervous.