Requiem of Humanity

by Catherine Stovall

  Jenda pounced, stake ready, only to find she was lying on her back several feet away in the next moment. At the last second, Soborgne had brought her legs up and planted both feet in Jenda’s chest, causing her to fly through the air and land roughly.

  “Soborgne, how do ye kill?” Patrick had dragged up a chair and was lounging lazily while he watched the girls practically beat each other to death.

  “Decapitation.” That one simple word sent a cold chill up Matteo’s spine. He could see Soborgne standing above him, the sword poised to strike, and Belle’s head lying by her feet.

  “More.” Patrick may have been looking lazy, but his sharp eyes never missed a move either girl made.

  “It’s best done with an extremely sharp object such as a titanium sword.” Soborgne paused only long enough to take a stab at Jenda with the rubber practice stake. They switched positions now. Soborgne was the attacker and Jenda was working double time to not end up the “dead” victim. “The only downfall is you have to remove the head completely from the body and burn it for the best effect.”

  “Good job, lass.” Patrick was quick to compliment, but quick to correct them as well.

  “Jenda, another,” Matteo fired at her again. She wished he’d at least smile. He was studying her as if she were an experiment instead of his girlfriend.

  “Fire. Most effective on younger vampires. Problems: It attracts humans, can be dangerous to you as well as your opponent, and must completely engulf your enemy to ensure death.” She sidestepped the stake, grabbed Soborgne’s arm, and twisted it behind the girl’s back. Jenda pried the stake out of Soborgne’s pinned hand and held it to the center of the girl’s chest.

  Both girls’ were panting heavily. After hours of physical exertion, their makeup was ruined and their hair was a mess, but they were proud of the work they had done. They stood perfectly still. Until that moment, neither girl had overtaken the other during the training. Jenda beamed at Matteo and Patrick until she saw Matteo walking towards her without pride in his eyes. Before he could reach her, Soborgne reached up and grasped the stake. Pulling Jenda’s hand with it, she directed the point several inches to the left and let it rest.

  Jenda dropped the stake and let go of her friend. “Shit” was all she could say, but for Jenda to cuss it meant a lot. She still felt cuss words were mainly unnecessary, even after being kidnapped, turned into a vampire, and hunted by the Dracul.

  “Jenda, you must remember the positioning.” Matteo scooped up the stake and brought it to Jenda’s chest. “Too far one way or another and you will not pierce the heart. Here,” he placed the point to her sternum, “you will hit the bone and, while crushing it takes time to regenerate, it will not stop your opponent.” He moved the point over and only about an inch under her collarbone. “Here you will only anger someone.” A shiver ran through her as he slid the point down to rest on top of her breast. “Here, with enough force, you will shatter the ribs, pass through the lung, and pierce the heart.”

  Seeing the hurt in her eyes, he softened. She was trying so hard and was so proud. He didn’t mean to come down on her so hard. He only wanted to know that she could take care of herself when the time came. She fought well and fiercely, and she put aside the fact that Soborgne was her opponent. He only hoped that she could do the same when it became a real battle. Pulling her against him, he murmured into her wild purple hair, “You’ve done well, Baobhan Sith.”

  Deciding that a break was in order, they all lounged on the mat. Patrick found one of the mysterious livered servants hiding in a corner and asked him to bring them a decanter of warm blood. It sat on a silver tray in the center of the mat, surrounded by crystal glasses. It seemed the most absurd thing to be sipping from such finery in the middle of a gym covered in sweat, which made the experience that much better.

  Soborgne was actually enjoying this. Despite all her efforts, she was beginning to like Patrick. She couldn’t deny the physical attraction she felt either. She had long since quit finding his freckles funny—now they were just another yummy aspect. She wanted to hate him, but she couldn’t. He was funny, conceited, sexy, and smart. All the things she admired. Yet, every time she thought about it, she felt a stab of guilt. The man in her dreams, she knew he was real. She and Jenda had both seen him in the alley. He was her heart and soul, even if she didn’t completely trust him. Any dalliance with Patrick would be a betrayal to the other. She couldn’t let herself become too comfortable around him.

  After allowing the girls to recover, Patrick began coaching them on the weaknesses he had seen during their mock battles. He was telling Soborgne the importance of keeping her knees slightly bent so that it was more difficult for her opponent to knock her off balance when she surprised them all by challenging him. “You know, I didn’t see you up there busting your butt. I bet you can’t even fight that well.” She smiled smugly at him.

  “Are ye challenging me fightin’ skills, lass? How ’bout we have a go and see if ye are as good as you think?” Something strange flashed in Patrick’s eyes. He wasn’t angry—nothing that dangerous. He was filled with Irish pride and enthusiasm to be able to put Soborgne in her place for a second time.

  Jenda almost felt sorry for her friend when Soborgne jumped up and said, “Well, come on, boy-o. Just leave your little mind tricks out of this and I might just kick your kilt wearing arse.” Anyone else would have been insulted by the insolent way she mimicked his accent, but Patrick just laughed.

  As he positioned himself and began circling Soborgne, he moved closer and closer. She was ready for him and she let a low growl slip between her teeth. He returned her threat with a deep snarl that was wild and animal like. Matteo and Jenda watched in silence as the two sized each other up. The each seemed to be waiting for the other to make a move.

  Soborgne’s impatience was always her downfall. She couldn’t take the circling any longer. She stepped forward and struck out with her right foot. She felt the impact a millisecond before it registered that the kick had not connected. Patrick caught her foot. With one bored and graceful motion, he flipped her backwards.

  Humiliation fueled her fire as Soborgne regained her position quickly. Patrick simply smiled and nodded. His eyes kept drifting to the exposed skin on her midriff, the top of her shirt line, and the snug fit of the jeans on her thighs. If he wasn’t careful, he’d find himself landing on his own butt. The girl was one big distraction, with her dark hair, warm eyes, and cold heart. He loved to break girls like her, but this time he didn’t feel compelled to break her. He wanted to stand beside her. He wanted to be her equal, and this was something he did not like.

  The last thought drove him to take a shot at her. He lashed out with a closed fist. Luckily, Soborgne was able to shy out of the way. Patrick was too sure of himself, and she was able to catch him off guard as he stumbled a little with the force of the punch.

  Soborgne stepped in and drove a sharp elbow to his bare ribs. With a grunt of pain and a loud exhale of breath, Patrick whirled on her. He grabbed Soborgne by the arm, meaning to give her a toss across the mat. Instead, Soborgne wrapped one long and well-muscled leg around his and sent them both toppling to the floor.

  Their bodies tangled and they landed in a heap of twisted limbs and laughter. Their faces were inches apart, their eyes met, and an instant fire burned them. If they let it, the feelings would scorch them both. Instead, Soborgne quickly jolted away and Patrick sat up quickly.

  Still smiling, he teased Soborgne, “I told ye those long legs of yers were gonna land ye on yer arse.”

  She laughed, still a little jolted from the passion she had felt with his body pressed to hers. “Yeah, and I told you I’d kick your butt.”

  Jenda interrupted then. “Ok you two. I call a truce—no winners and no losers. Let’s call it a night, because I need a break.”

  11

  At three o’clock exactly, Matteo, Jenda, and Soborgne entered Celeste’s chambers. They had just enough time to clean up from their strenuous practi
ce session and weave their way through the long corridors of the castle before being late. Jenda’s attention went immediately to the statue in the corner of the room. The statue stood untouched and surrounded by comfortable chairs. She felt relieved to see it, but still found it creepy.

  Celeste entered the room from the gardens. She looked beautiful as always. Her long dark hair hung loose on her bare shoulders and curled slightly at the ends. She was dressed in a white strapless dress. The empire waist fitted tightly beneath her well-proportioned bosom and the material hung perfectly to show her curves, yet concealed her legs all the way to the ankle.

  “Good evening, everyone.” Celeste’s greeting contained less enthusiasm than Jenda expected. The seriousness of the situation was weighing heavy on the Lady’s mind, and her audience knew little of its importance. “I trust you have all had an interesting evening.” The look she gave Soborgne did not go unnoticed.

  Soborgne steeled herself for another lecture, but instead Celeste gestured for them to all take seats near the statue. A bare-chested servant popped out of nowhere, startling Jenda, to place a tray of glasses and a decanter on the table. Jenda found it a little unnerving that there seemed to be a constant blood supply ready. They drank blood like humans having tea or coffee.

  It just seemed so refined, and nothing near what she had always imagined how vampires lived. Even base and demented vampires like Belle lived in a measure of luxury. However, Jenda would bet anything that the blood she was drinking now didn’t come from someone’s freshly sliced veins, as it did in Belle’s home. Celeste was too kind to use her loyal servants and assistants in that manner. She would not have wounded and blackened souls amongst her loyal attendants.

  As soon as the servant vanished again, Celeste began her story. She was never a person of subtleties, and she would not begin tonight. “I assume Jenda has told you some of what happened to her the other night.”

  She did not wait for confirmation of her statement. She had discussed the matter with Jenda. They had decided to tell Matteo and Soborgne about the vision, but not that Soborgne was the object of it. “I feel that this connection Jenda has with the statue is no coincidence. If there was ever any doubt that you two are the ones from the prophecy, Jenda’s vision proves that you are.”

  The trio remained silent. “The statue you see here is a representation of the Tree of Life. Many amongst us know the story of Cain and Lilith. Unless their creators are atheist or uneducated, it is customary to teach a fledgling their heritage as a parent would a child. One piece of our history is not common knowledge. The story I want share with you will illuminate that dark place in our past.”

  “Lilith was cast from Eden for her unwillingness to bow to Adam’s will that much is true. God cast Cain from Eden for slaying his brother that is true as well. The story that Matteo has told you is correct. Their mutual sin and strength drew Lilith and Cain together. They fell madly in love and they made a deal with the king of demons, Asmodeus, in order to conceive a child. God’s wrath was mighty and he punished the three of them for their sins against him.

  “He created the first vampire when he cursed the children of Cain to thirst for the blood of their brothers and Lilith’s children to live in the night alone. The most important fact was that God laid a curse upon Asmodeus as well. For every child of Lilith that was born, one hundred of Asmodeus’ children would die. Asmodeus, Lilith, and Cain all swore vengeance on God, and Asmodeus hated Cain and Lilith for tricking him.

  “As he watched his children die each time Lilith gave birth to a new vampire, Asmodeus developed a plan. He would trap the two lovers. If he could not destroy them because of the mark that God had laid upon Cain, he would at least stop them from producing more vampires. Asmodeus believed that he would destroy our kind if he imprisoned Lilith and Cain.

  “Understand that this was before anyone knew that we could create others through our blood. This was a time of confusion, of discovery, of sadness, and of trial and error for all vampires. The demons believed that we would grow old and die, or perish by the sun eventually. They did not know—as we did not know—that we were truly as eternal as they were.” Celeste paused to take a drink of her blood and the others did the same. Until then, the glasses had sat untouched as they listened to Celeste, hoping to find answers instead of more questions.

  Jenda stared at the statue hard. She knew that Celeste was going to tell them that the statue represented Cain and Lilith’s entrapment. The pain in their gentle embrace was unsettling. The lovers were bound forever in each other’s arms, but unable to live and love freely. Asmodeus had consigned them to an eternity of love unexpressed.

  “Asmodeus’ plan was to kidnap Lamashtu, Cain and Lilith’s first born daughter, who was a great beauty even at an early age. He would imprison Lilith and Cain inside a tree for all of eternity in exchange for their daughter’s life. He knew that Cain had been cast from the garden because he chose his family over God. He had no doubt that the loving parents would come to bargain for their child.

  “On the eve of Lamashtu’s seventeenth birthday, Asmodeus’ demons attacked the Clan of Lilith and Cain. A great battle waged, and the legend says that the force of the demon’s hooves carved out the great Nahal Kidron Canyon. Legend says Lilith’s tears caused the Gihon Spring that once flowed through the canyon. Some believe the spring gave life back to the land to lessen the damage the demons brought.

  “Asmodeus lost many of his demons, but in the end, they managed to capture Lamashtu. Stricken with grief, Cain and Lilith prayed that God would interfere. Despite their punishments and God’s admonishments, they still held hope that he would stop Asmodeus from harming their daughter. After three days, the angels appeared to Lilith and they laughed at her pleas. They told her that God would not hear her prayers, and then vanished back to heaven.

  “On the sixth night, Asmodeus’ favorite son, Andras, appeared to Lilith and Cain. He looked like a normal human man except for the large black wings that spread out behind him and the serpent’s tongue with which he spoke. The forked tip slipping out each time he spoke reminded those whom he faced that he was his father’s son.

  “He delivered his father’s message—that if they agreed to give themselves willingly to Asmodeus, then he would allow Lamashtu to live. Cain instantly refused. He told Lilith that surely a demon as powerful as Asmodeus would find a way to kill them despite the mark of God. Andras swore to them that they would not be killed, but if they chose not to come, Lamashtu would be sacrificed to the sun upon morning.

  “Lilith did not hesitate. Lamashtu was her first child, and the only child since that was born purely from love and not to aid in their revenge on God. Lilith threw herself on the mercy of Andras. She begged to see her daughter alive before Asmodeus cast his vengeance upon her. Cain had no choice but to join her. If he were to lose Lilith, his heart would cease to beat and all would be lost.

  “Cain and Lilith’s children all cried out in protest and moved to protect their mother and father. They feared for their own survival as well. Lilith cried out to her children, ‘Stop, calm yourselves. We will return, but we must seek out Asmodeus and free Lamashtu. Who here among you would leave your sister to die?’

  “Lilith’s oldest son, Samael, stepped forward and bared his fangs to Andras. He said, ‘If you do this, Andras, I swear vengeance upon you and your kind. I will slay each of your black hearts and drink the blood of the demons until I am swollen and die.’

  “Andras drew his sword and stepped forth, his great black wings spreading out to envelop Cain and Lilith. He would not leave here with his own life if he could not return these two to his father. Before the battle could ensue, Lilith cried out again for them to stop. She pleaded with Samael to hold his fury. ‘You must wait for my return. You must not be hasty in your actions, my beloved son. When we return to you, then we shall seek out our retribution.’

  “Samael was a faithful son and stepped back, though his eyes burned with the blood of hate and fury. Andras
, seeing that this was his only chance to take Cain and Lilith without further trouble, held the two in his powerful arms and took to the skies. Delivered upon the wings of a demon, they met their enemy. Their act of love cast them into the nightmarish depths, but it was for the freedom of love that they committed themselves to an eternity of hell.

  “Andras carried them to his father. Here, he deposited Lilith and Cain in the center of one hundred thousand demons. Andras tore the clothing from their backs and forced them to kneel before Asmodeus. The breath of the demons chilled their bodies and they knew that their end was nearing.

  “Demons are shape-shifters. They can take on any solid form, including vampire or human. They may also choose to appear as a spirit. Without a disguise, they are hideous and depraved creatures. In this moment, Asmodeus stood in his true form. His head and body were much like a man’s, but they were as black as the onyx used to carve my elegant doors. His eyes hold no color—they are clear to reveal the blood behind them, even in human disguise. He has no hands. Instead, he possesses the sharp talons of a bird of prey. These talons match perfectly with the massive black wings that he and his favorite son shared.

  “Asmodeus danced with glee and celebrated his victory by spitting his venom onto his captives. Lilith, always a proud woman, raised her face to the abuse and cried out, ‘Lamashtu, we have come!’ Turning to her attackers, she spat, ‘Bring us our daughter, and keep your word, demon.’

  “Asmodeus laughed and called for his children to bring forth the vampire princess. Thin from starvation and weak from torture, Lamashtu came forth. Even in her disheveled state, her beauty was evident. She carried a light with her that the demons found difficult to look upon, but irresistible at the same time. Asmodeus tore at Lamashtu’s hair and shoved her forward, where she fell, weeping, on her knees beside Lilith and Cain.