by Lumi Laura
CHAPTER 14 Alucius Kardasian
At the far side of the Cathedral, Alex and Cosmina came upon another passageway, a tunnel that led into a less-spacious cavern, although even taller. The walls were made of rippled flowstones that emerged from the ceiling like draperies that glistened in the soft light. Their footsteps reverberated, and Alex heard the tinkling echo of dripping water. But the great beauty of the place was at the far end, where all the natural formations gave way to what could only be described as a megaron. The majesty of it reminded her a little of her dream of the City of God, as Catalin had called it. It was lit inexplicably by some enchanted source that brought forth both a red glow and a deepening darkness. All of it illuminated one object at its center: a huge stone seat, a throne, which now stood empty.
Alex sensed great evil lurking there. What had Catalin said? That she'd be susceptible to evil now that she was a vampire?
"This is Alu Kard's chamber, the Throne Room," Cosmina said. "His rule and power over his people emanates from here."
Alex took a step back and started to run. This evil had no place in her life, regardless if she lived forever. "I'll be leaving now," she said. She felt her handbag for her cross.
"Don't be afraid, Marie," Cosmina said. "The original vampire is kind and generous. He offers eternal life, one without illness or disease, a life that fulfills your every wish without regret or guilt."
But Alex had already quit listening because she'd caught sight of movement beyond the throne, a dark shape that she'd seen before outside her grandmother's home. Here was evil incarnate. Her hand found her cross. It felt warm and comforting. She tried to retreat, but Cosmina used her bulk to block Alex's way.
"Give him a chance," she said in Alex's ear. "Speak with him." But Cosmina's presence had changed also. No longer did she seem so benign.
Conversation with Alu was not something Alex wished. Yet, the closer he got, the less apprehensive she became. He removed the black cape from his shoulders and draped it across his left forearm. She released her cross and removed her hand from her handbag.
"You've come to us, as I suggested you might," he said, his voice as she remembered, distant, thin, scratchy. "Yet, you're reluctant to stay. Spend some time with me. Let us talk as equals." His hair and eyebrows were coal black, his lips deep berry red like a bruise.
"If I'd known it was you I was to meet, I'd not troubled you."
"You have no reason to fear us. We're a part of the world. Have been for three millennia. You are one of us now. You were born here in the Carpathians. Were you not?" Alu's eyes were sunk back into his skull like a dead man's. They had no whites. And yet, her gut instinct had changed. Something about him was appealing. Although, that he knew her birthplace seemed a personal violation.
"Here in Sinaia." She instantly hated that she'd verified it for him and wondered how he knew.
He moved to his throne and stood before it, placed his cape over one of the stone arms. The back of the throne extended far above his head. "In the ancient tongue, Sinaia was called Theos Koilas, Sacred Vale. The monastery has spoiled many such traditions. The Church cares little of this existence and ancient traditions or how precious life is. Its priests know nothing of the great forces that shape human destiny."
Alex wasn't going to let him get away with this. "Yet, you are parasites."
"A quite offensive characterization. The single shortcoming of our existence. Yet, we give back tenfold. All we do here is not distasteful, is it?"
"I have found friendship and affection. I'll not deny that. Yet, I've not seen love."
Alu laughed, snickered. "A truly disgusting, trouble-causing emotion."
Yes, thought Alex. This is the crucial issue. "Yet, for humans, the great pleasure and meaning of life." She wondered why she'd suddenly become so concerned about something that had never been her focus.
Alu finally seated himself on his throne, looked down upon her. "Such naivety. Stay with us. Learn our ways. We contemplate the great philosophical issues of the times, plant ideas to improve society, and have a longterm commitment to human existence. We see the world with a millennial perspective, something people who live only a normal life span cannot. If you become one of us, you can have all the riches of the world and a community that respects and adores you."
"Eternal lust and greed is what you're talking about. What about morality, right and wrong?"
"Outdated concepts. The old world is being swept away and the notion of morality with it. It's a new cosmic connection. You've spent a little time with the men and women following me today. I've sensed you lusting after them. That is real, the sense of community, the commitment to one another and this world we're building. We are the true civilization of the future."
"Yes, I have sensed a great arrogance among your people."
"It's not arrogance, if you are truly superior."
"Arrogance is always arrogance, and pride comes before the fall."
Alu laughed. "A clichéd observation, yet I admire your inclination to question authority." Then he leaned forward and became stern. "I will tell you the difference between our world and that of mundane mortals."
Alex turned to go again. "I'm not sure I care to hear such blasphemy."
Alu had a great laugh. "This Catalin who has come to you recently, you value his council?"
Alex turned back. Was this ancient vampire spying on her every move? "How do you know of him?"
"I've known him, and this Velinar spirit you've encountered, for centuries. He's offered you council, but without knowing your own full story. Velinar it was who did this to you, made you a vampire. This you know. Do you not?"
Alex remained silent.
"But let me tell you this, young lady. You died that night at the gazebo, and it was neither she nor he who brought you back to life. It was me. I thought I had failed because you did not respond immediately as you should have. But I know this for fact. You owe your existence on this planet, not to them, but to me. Alucius Kardasian."
Alex faltered. This was deeply troubling. "I fainted, and have no memory of it, if it did happen as you say."
"Let's be honest with each other, Miss Eidyn." He shook his head. "Honesty — something which you have in short supply. It may seem a dream, but it is there in your memory. You know it."
Alex remembered some dark creature hovering about while she lay on the ground beside the gazebo, but she also remembered a benevolent spirit who came afterward bringing feelings of infinite peace and wellbeing.
Alu was quiet a moment and then shook his head. "That's enough. You are to see Catalin again. Bring this up. See if he's capable of telling the truth."
"He's never lied."
Alu laughed again. "And you would know? Velinar did this to you, both of them left you to die, and yet they are your prize counselors? When you return to us, and you will," he said, "leave your cross at home. Yes, I know you have it tucked away in your purse. Quite a stench it makes in my chamber. You used it on me the first time we met. The others may not sense it, but it's an old rank object that I'll not have in my house again. Let Miss Eidyn out, would you please, Cosmina. I've tired of her."
Alex noticed that his palms had started bleeding again. He rose and stepped away from the throne, turned and walked back behind it and disappeared. He seemed to be limping.
Cosmina kept her distance from Alex. "Shame on you!" she said. "Bringing such an object in here. Out with you. If the others should learn of this, they would not go as easy on you as did Alu. How can you be one of us and harbor such a thing?"
"It's a part of who I am," said Alex.
"I don't understand the respect and difference Alu shows you. He's more sensitive to the cross than any of us. Why the honor? Who are you girl?"
"Just a teenager trying to find a place in the world."
Cosmina ushered Alex back through the tunnel and into the community cavern, the Cathedral. Alex looked for Emelia and Rutfen and wondered what had happened to them. They were nowhere in sight. Cosm
ina shoved her out the way she'd come in.