by Lumi Laura
*
Jaklin, Mikhail, and Alex with little Andra safely tucked away inside a blanket in her arms, returned home. Once there, the three vampires gathered in the kitchen where Jaklin and Mikhail prepared lunch while Alex nursed Andra sitting in a chair next to the table. When she opened her blouse, she saw her own little wood cross against her cleavage and smiled, sensing the calm that had come over her since regaining it. This was their first meal together as immortals. And then as vampires are apt, they went upstairs to their bedroom and slept together while, in the city below, humans went about their business in full light of day.
Alex dreamt of Millennium Road. It was the first time she'd slept since giving birth, and now those occupying the Road were more vivid, even more humanlike than following her initiation. Slight tinges of color marked their features. They also had more interest in her and showed affection for her.
She'd been on the Road for some time when she remembered Jaklin and Mikhail. She rushed back to the beginning of the Road, but didn't find them. Perhaps three together wouldn't be enough. She looked off to the left of the Road, and there she found a lost wandering vampire who could hardly stand. At first she didn't recognize him, but then realized that he was just a shadow of himself, with hardly a shape at all, a patch of darkness moving along the ground. He could barely stand. It was Mikhail. She helped him to his feet and tried to talk to him, but he didn't seem to hear her. Quite suddenly his awareness came into focus. "Alex," he said. "I'm glad you found me. I was lost and alone in this God forsaken wilderness. I was as afraid as a child."
"I'm with you now, Mikhail. Hold to me, and I'll help you back to the Road."
They struggled back and started looking for Jaklin. Alex wondered if she might have already come across, or perhaps she was feral and wouldn't appear at all. They saw a sudden flash of light in the pitch-black at the beginning of Millennium Road, and another male vampire burst through, confused and disoriented. They helped him to find a place on the Road behind those who came before, and then returned to look for Jaklin. They waited for what seemed an eternity. Still nothing. Alex was afraid she'd wake without finding her. Then she saw another dark shape wandering about. Alex knew immediately that it was Jaklin. She took one arm and Mikhail the other, and they helped her onto the Road. The three huddled together standing, arms around each other.
"Where am I?" Jaklin asked.
"You're on Millennium Road with Mikhail and me," said Alex.
Once Jaklin had regained partial awareness, Alex took both off the Road to the right and asked them to look into the distance. "Do you see the light?" she asked. "It's a glow along the horizon." But no, neither could see the Chateau though she continued to describe and point in its direction.