by P. A. Lupton
“Your mother,” Nathan said, interrupting my thoughts, “was beautiful. You look so much like her.” He watched me trace my fingers affectionately across her smiling face.
Suddenly, I was overtaken by an uncontrollable burst of sadness for the loss of the mother I never knew. He brought my hand to his mouth, brushing his lips across the surface. I was taken aback for a moment by the compassion in the subconscious gesture; he seemed unaware he’d done it.
“Let me show you around.” Taking my hand he started our tour.
“Lead the way.”
“As I mentioned before, our ancestors have been devoted friends for generations. Before your grandparents passed away, they asked me to watch over the house. They always had faith everyone would be reunited one day.”
“My father told me my grandparents died before my mother,” I said, shocked. “Are you saying they didn’t?”
His expression was filled with compassion. “They died only a few years ago. Your grandmother passed first and your grandfather shortly thereafter.”
“I could’ve known them.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. Why would my father betray me this way?
Recognizing that I was hurting, he tried to console me. “Please understand, Brianna, your father was only trying to protect you. It was agreed upon by your entire family that everyone would separate and hide. No one was supposed to know where you were, including your grandparents. That is the only way they could ensure the information could never be coerced.”
“So, I have more family out there somewhere?” I could barely register what I was hearing. Maybe I wasn’t alone after all.
“Yes, you do. Your mother had sisters who were also killed, and they had daughters as well. You have many cousins, although I do not as yet know where they are.” He hesitated. “In fact, she also had cousins who went into hiding as did their children.”
“This is unbelievable. My father always said it was just us. And now I find out I have a large family out there somewhere. Why are they hiding? What’s going on?”
“Your mother was murdered, Brianna,”—he watched my face closely—“as were her sisters. Your family was being systematically hunted down and killed. Finally, after your mother’s death, the adults convened and decided the safest thing to do would be to separate and hide.”
“My mother was murdered?” I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. Though once the initial wave of misery passed, something else started to build inside me. Anger.
“Did they find the person who murdered her?”
“No, the authorities were mystified by how they were killed. Your mother and three of your aunts were all murdered by the same man. The killer drained their blood completely without leaving a mark on the bodies. The police had no evidence and no leads.”
“They were killed the same way as Morganna and the other victims I’ve been investigating? How is that possible? Do you think somehow it’s a copycat killer after twenty eight years?”
“No, Brianna, I do not. I think it’s the same killer.”
“That’s impossible. Our profilers believe the killer is around thirty years old. If it were the same killer, he’d be an old man—too old to have the strength necessary to kill.”
“That’s because you are assuming the killer is a human.” His ominous words hung in the air.
My heart rate skyrocketed at his words, and the vehemence in them. “And you don’t believe he’s human?”
“No. I know he is not.” He hesitated for a moment before squaring his shoulders. “The killer is a vampire.”
Chapter 8
I laughed. “Nathan, I hate to tell you this, but there is no such thing as vampires. And since we’re on the subject of fictitious characters, I feel it’s my duty to tell you about Santa Clause—he’s not real either,” I whispered. “I understand where you came up with this theory, though. I mean, the way the victims were all killed is like something straight out of an Anne Rice novel, but this is reality.”
“Brianna, I realize this is difficult for you to accept, just as I warned you it would be. Nevertheless, the truth is that a vampire killed your mother, and it is the same vampire that has murdered the rest of your family.” His expression was sympathetic.
“I know I haven’t known you that long, but I’ve really grown to care for you,” I began, tentatively. “I can tell you believe what you’re saying, and I think...maybe...you should seek some help.”
“I am not crazy. I realize how this must sound to you, but it is the truth.”
“Listen. I’m going to say this one last time, and then I want you to drop the subject before I get angry. Vampires...do...not...exist!”
“Yes...they...do.” I had never seen him lose his patience like this. “I know they exist.
When I simply stared at him with a doubtful look, he continued. “I know, because…because I am one.” He straightened his spine and stared unwaveringly into my eyes as he made the declaration.
“You are one what? A vampire?” I didn’t know whether to be mad at him, or feel sorry for him. I sensed that he truly believed what he was telling me.
“Yes. I am a vampire.”
“Okay...you’re a vampire” I rolled my eyes. “Then, bite me.”
“Pardon me?” He looked affronted by the suggestion.
“I want you to bite me.”
“I am not going to bite you.”
“Uh huh. I thought not,” I retorted, smugly. “I think it’s time we leave.” I turned for the door.
Before I had the chance to take a single step, he was at my back. His actions so fast, I didn’t hear the movement. He grabbed the top of my arms firmly, but not painfully, as he leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I would not normally do this, but I am afraid you are one of the most stubborn women I have ever met.”
I felt his tongue on the side of my neck and my breathing stuttered. Although I was a little nervous about what he had planned, I was excited and stimulated at the same time. Despite what he’d just told me.
Without further warning, his teeth pierce my flesh. Strangely, there was absolutely no pain. In fact, it felt amazing. I moaned in pleasure as my body relaxed into his. Vividly aware of the masculine hardness of his body framing mine, and entirely incongruent to the situation, I knew I was safe. I felt him drawing the blood from my body, and beyond all reason, I wanted him to have it. With every swallow he consumed, I became more exhilarated. Euphoric.
I recognized the feeling, and the moment I did, reality came rushing back. With painstaking clarity, I recalled channeling Morganna’s last emotions as she was murdered. She had also felt euphoria.
Immediately, I tensed with fear at the memory. Nathan must have felt my sudden rigidity and guessed its cause, because he stopped and carefully took a step back.
“I had no intention of hurting you. Please do not be frightened. I could never harm you.” He was sincere, and I felt his anguish at the thought of scaring me. “I merely needed for you to recognize and accept the truth, and biting you was the most expedient way to accomplish that.”
My hand instinctively went to my neck where he’d bitten me. Though there was no pain, I could feel a mark marring the skin. I rushed over to the mirror and saw two small, but very distinct, puncture wounds. “But the victims had no marks on their bodies,” I mumbled, almost as though I were talking to myself.
He moved to approach, and I reflexively stepped back to face him. I had to admit, even though I could sense he wouldn’t hurt me, I was still nervous. His hands jerked up in response to my anxiousness, the gesture indicating he meant no harm. He was behaving as if I was a scared animal as he inched his way closer. I bristled at his delicate treatment of me—I could handle this.
I allowed myself to relax as he neared, though I watched him with increased vigilance. He scored his index finger with his fang—oh God, he has fangs—and I noticed a drop of blood well up on the tip. He smoothed his blood over the puncture wounds on my neck. The sensation that followed w
as strange; like pins and needles. When I turned back to the mirror, the marks were gone and the skin was perfect, as though they’d never existed.
I was shocked. “You’re telling me the truth.”
“Yes.”
“So, you’re telling me that not only do vampires exist”—I hesitated, finding it difficult to say the word—“but one of them killed my mother, and six other members of my family.”
He nodded in grave affirmation.
“Is that why I sensed an evil presence at Morganna’s apartment, because it was a vampire?”
“Vampires are not necessarily evil, Brianna. Do you sense evil inside me?” He arched his eyebrow patiently, knowing what my answer would be.
“No, I don’t.” I knew he wasn’t evil; every instinct in my body told me that he was good. Then a thought occurred to me. “Wait a minute. You were at my father’s funeral!” I practically bellowed.
“Yes, I already explained I was looking for you—”
“My father’s funeral was in the afternoon and it was sunny out. If you’re a vampire, how can you go in the sun?”
“Not all vampires are restricted by daylight.”
“But some are?” I was intrigued, and now that I knew he was telling the truth, I had a million questions.
“Yes, some are restricted by the sun. This could take a while to explain—would you like to go into the kitchen and relax? I will make you a tea and explain everything. How does that sound?”
“Good.”
A vampire making me tea? I snorted at the improbability of the situation.
“What is so funny?” he asked, placing the steaming mug in front of me.
“Nothing. Just experiencing a surreal moment. You were about to clarify a few things.”
He nodded. “Much of what you have heard about vampires is myth. I come from a long line of witches just like you. And, also like you, my family was targeted and annihilated by a vampire many years ago. I was attacked and left for dead when he drained me to the point of death. The only reason I survived was because it was so close to dawn. The vampire who attacked me began to burn as the sun rose, so he ran away leaving me only moments from death. I was barely breathing, but had enough energy left to summon The Goddess for assistance right before I lost consciousness.
“My only memory afterward was being discovered by another vampire. Only, for some reason, he was able to walk in the daylight—completely unaffected by the sun. He carried me to his home where he performed a Pagan ritual I was unfamiliar with, one where he had me drink his blood. The more I drank, the stronger I became until I was what I am now.”
“How is it the vampire who attacked you couldn’t go into sunlight, but you and that other vampire can?”
“That is a very good question, and it was one of the first questions I asked my sire.” He stopped to take a sip of his tea. “Vampires descend directly from one of the original twenty-five Akychi witches. The witch, adept in the art of black magic and greedy for power, cast a spell for immortal life. The spell also granted him superior strength, hearing, and smell, among other things. An element of the spell required he take a human life, and consume the heart and blood during the ritual.”
“Ewww. That’s disgusting!”
He looked amused by my outburst. “Do you want to hear the rest, or do you think it will frighten you too much?” He winked, teasingly.
I rolled my eyes. “No. Continue.”
“Have you ever heard of the Wiccan Rede?”
“No, I haven’t. What is it?”
“The Wiccan Rede is a code of ethics to which all witches are bound. It states: ‘An it harm none, Do what ye will’.”
I cocked my head in intrigue. He must have noticed the gesture, because he went on to explain.
“It means that while utilizing magic, one should cause no harm. Akychi descendants have the ability to manipulate energy, but the Universe has its own way of rebalancing itself. You see there is a Law of Three; a universal law that maintains balance. It ensures that whatever energy you put into the universe, whether it good or bad, shall come back to you threefold.”
“I’ve heard of that.”
“You have?”
I shrugged. “Sure, I watched The Craft.
Shaking his head, he chuckled.
“Yes, well, the witch who cast the spell for immortal life apparently did not. The spell came back onto him threefold in the form of a curse. Now, as a penance for killing and drinking blood to enact the spell, vampires are required to drink human blood in order to survive. If a vampire ceases to consume human blood, he or she will die painfully and whither to ash. This is one of the legends that are accurate; vampires turn to dust when they die.”
“So, how is it that the spell was cast to grant one witch immortal life, but there are more vampires? Did others perform spells too?”
“The spell was successful and the witch was granted immortality, along with superior strength, speed, and smell, among other things. The power of the spell lies in the blood, and it can be passed along in two ways. One is through a ritual where blood is exchanged with another witch. The blood is drained completely and replaced with the vampire’s blood, which is how I was changed. The other is through birth. The witch who cast the spell discovered his children were born vampires. However, no matter how one becomes a vampire, the curse of drinking blood is still in effect.” He said the last part somberly.
“Wait a minute. A vampire can be born? But how is that possible? I thought vampires were dead, or undead, I suppose they call it.”
He laughed aloud. “Do I feel dead to you?” he asked, rhetorically. “That is most assuredly a myth. The blood carrying the spell flows through my body. It is warm and keeps me alive, strong, and in my body’s peak physical condition. If a child is born a vampire, they will grow just like any other baby until their body has fully matured. Once the body reaches its peak, the spell will keep them in that condition forever.”
“Wow. So, aside from being born a vampire, a person can be changed by exchanging blood with another witch? Does that mean only a witch can be changed?” Enthralled, I couldn’t stop asking questions.
“That is a complicated question. It is possible to change a human with no Wiccan power, but difficult. The human experiences a great deal of pain, and some cannot handle the influx of power. They do not always survive the transformation. For this reason, it is rare for a vampire to attempt the change on a human.”
“Oh, my god!” I blurted.
“What is it?”
“The ashes we found in Morganna and Leslie’s apartments—they were vampires.” It was finally beginning to make sense. With the information Nathan was supplying, the pieces of a puzzle fit together.
“Yes, they were.” He sighed. “They were the bodyguards I had assigned, and also, dear friends. Somehow he managed to get past them to get to the girls. They died protecting the women. That is why Colin Lafferty has not been seen since Leslie’s death. He died that night, but there is no body.”
The grief suddenly overtaking me was palpable, but the pain was coming from him—mourning for his friends. I placed my hand over his. “I am truly sorry.”
He smiled gratefully, and my heart skipped a beat. “Thank you. Even after everything I have revealed—including what I am—and yet you still offer me comfort for the loss of my friends. It means a lot to me.”
Contemplatively, I stared at him for a long moment. “Yes, I know exactly what you are Nathan. You’re a caring, honest man, and a protector of the innocent. As for being a vampire... do you...kill people?”
“God, no!” he shouted. “It is only necessary I consume small amounts of blood, which I only take from willing donors. I have never taken a life in order to feed. Which brings me back to the first question you asked: How can some vampires go into the sun and other cannot? As witches and vampires, whatever energy we put into the universe will come back to us threefold. Vampires who kill do so only to gain power; it is unnecessary for surviva
l. In effect, they are stealing their victims’ life force, and it is evil. This is precisely why some of us can live in the light while others cannot. As it is unnecessary for survival, the ones who kill while feeding are choosing a path of darkness, and therefore, are forever expelled from the light. Again, it is the universes way of rebalancing—The Law of Three.”
In a strange way, what he was saying made sense. I knew I felt evil in the killer, but not in Nathan, yet they were both vampires. I’d seen the dust in Morganna and Leslie’s apartments, and the inexplicable way they were killed accounted for everything. “But why is he targeting my family? I don’t understand.”
He exhaled heavily before answering. “Some vampires—the most evil of our kind—seek out powerful witches. They steal their powers through rituals that can only be completed when they consume all of the witch’s blood. I told you before that our families were close—I am a descendant from the Donovan Coven, and you are from the Garner Coven. Our families are known in the Wiccan world as the two most powerful covens in existence. Our power has grown substantially with each generation. Unfortunately, this makes our blood rare. I am the only one left of my family.”
“I’m so sorry.” And here I felt sorry for myself for only having my father growing up. Nathan had no one. “Why has no one stopped these killers?”
“We try.” His tone carried a note of frustration. “The elders have established a group of the most powerful good vampires. We are the enforcers for our race, tracking the evil of our kind and attempting to stop them. However, we are severely outnumbered. Evil vampires also have the advantage of no conscience. They steal power from other witches, which enhances their strength considerably. In addition, they use dark magic that is difficult to combat—especially since we never use dark magic in return. That is a line enforcers will never cross.”