“She also trusted Jonathan with her life and he plotted to kill her on my order.”
“Jonathan has saved her more times than I ever knew she was in danger.” Eric sat up to face the elder.
Lucien offered a half smile. “I can see why he likes you so much. It feels rather natural to be here with you, although I can’t say that anyone has ever talked to me in such a way. I thought you would be like him, but you are quite mild mannered. Humbled, if you will.”
“I have my moments... as do we all. You are quite different from what I expected, as well. Then again, I suppose I’m privileged to see this side of you, at all.”
Lucien nodded. “And yet, somehow I don’t think you see the honor in that. Eric, you have strong leadership qualities. I’d appreciate your assistance in the time to come. Consider my request knowing that you never need to leave her. I will always come to you.”
Eric started to answer, but Lucien held up his hand. “Just think about it for now. You, Jonathan, and I are the strongest of our kind and the survival of our race will depend on our support. The new age brings with it the need for a new style of government. The time for Lucifer’s ranks has gone. As far as I am concerned, the three of us are equals above the High Elders.”
“What about her?” Eric asked, gently running his fingers through her hair.
“She is beyond us. She is special, a being unlike any other on this planet, and will be treated as a queen. I would bow to her, if He meant for that; however, He did not intend for her to guide us. ‘Find salvation in the purity of the vessel and leadership from its anointed strength.’ Gabriel transcribed those words directly from God’s order. Though you both possess great power, she is the vessel and you are her strength.”
Lucien circled the bed and knelt beside her. “The prophecy has already begun, but that does not mean Lucifer or others will not try to kill her again. Never leave her side. As long as one of you lives, the other will always defeat death.”
Eric’s eyes flashed at the warning. “You know something.”
“I know only of an elder plotting with Lucifer—the extent of which I do not know, but it will be dealt with, rest assured. I do not wish to go to war again and I am certain, as a former soldier yourself, that you wish to avoid that as well.”
“What makes you think I would fight in your war?” Eric asked suspiciously, his hand paused in mid-stroke.
“You wouldn’t have a choice. They would come for you,” Lucien said. “Do you really think there is anywhere in this world that you could hide?”
Paresh stirred, moaning as she tilted her head to the side. “Eric.”
Eric shifted his body down to rest alongside hers, saying softly, “I’m here. Everything’s all right.”
“Eric.” She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
He pressed her hand against his cheek as he leaned over and kissed her. “Lucien is here. Jonathan is outside. You’re safe now,” he whispered.
“You were dead.”
“So were you.”
“David?” she asked feebly as she struggled to sit up. With Eric’s assistance, she leaned against him and rested her head against his chest as though listening for his heartbeat.
“You don’t need to worry about any of them. Everything has been taken care of, my love, I promise.” Eric shared a look of confirmation with Lucien, and then brushed the hair from her face and kissed her forehead.
“You’re warm.” She smiled with a sigh and leaned her head back against his shoulder. “I... I met with an angel. The Archangel Gabriel. He was so beautiful... swathed in the palest blue with wings like the air, and his skin gleamed like a star. He’s beyond description. Lucien?”
“I’m here. Perhaps some light would be beneficial?”
“No, it’s all right. My eyes are adjusting. I can see you,” she replied. “Everything is a bit blurry. I’m not used to this—it’s not the same as it was earlier.”
“Please forgive my behavior in the woods. I did not relish the task, but it was necessary to weaken your body. Your rapid healing would have prevented David from bleeding you to death. He never intended to stab your heart, which would have killed you immediately, and altering his plan would have implied our direct involvement in killing a member of the flock.”
“There’s nothing to forgive.” She smiled warmly at him. “Destiny, a Dominion from the Fourth Angelic Choir, designed my death before I was born. She was selected by Gabriel to implement the prophecy after he was charged with watching over the Vampiric Nation. He’s been like your guardian angel ever since the treaty was signed.
“He had Destiny deliver the prophecy once before, but she failed.” She looked up at Eric. “It started with your creation. God designed you specifically to gain Jonathan’s attention and survive his bite. You were always supposed to be half of the Servator, but your son was originally the other half.
“A human soul for Darien never existed. He was designed to be the first and only half-breed born into this world—born from human conception, but brought to life by his father’s vampire blood and then filled with Divine energy created for him by God.
“But when Lucinda and Darien died, your grief overwhelmed you. You couldn’t hear God’s voice. And, to some extent, it had to be that way. If God hadn’t left you with so much of your humanity, you wouldn’t have been able to combat the thirst you share with Jonathan. So, Destiny waited until she saw my life and its potential hurdles. She withheld my soul at birth and waited for Eric to hear God’s voice. Thankfully, he heard Him.”
She reached up to stroke Eric’s face. He caught and held her hand against his cheek with his eyes closed for a moment. A light sigh fell from his lips. He let go and threaded his fingers through hers.
She gave his hand a squeeze and returned her attention to Lucien. “God had to tweak the prophecy for the human body, which is why my vampiric cells need Eric’s essence. He supplies my immortality and, in turn, my blood gives him strength and sates the beast in his heart. Without him, I would eventually age and die, and without me, he would always risk losing control. Together we are the Servator, but separately, he is a vampire and I am mortal.”
She paused in thought. “It’s the natural order for life to become death. The physical world is like an axis on which the spiritual realms pivot. The number of souls that can exist in the Realm of Man has a limit and a sudden influx of additional souls would disrupt the balance.
“In life, my human soul stayed within the set boundary and my death made room for another human to enter. But, in rebirth, I am like Darien—not meant for this world. I now carry the soul destined to open a special path for the eternal surplus about to be unlocked.
“Destiny selected a Virtue from the Fifth Angelic Choir—Serendipity—to help plot the potential paths of my life and create backup plans in case my life hit a detour. They carefully planned everything and arranged for Jonathan to intervene in my kidnapping.
“Not only did his DNA keep my vampiric cells alive, but his vulnerability to my influence allowed us to form a bond. That gave Destiny her only chance to access you, Lucien. You alone possessed the power to accept or deny salvation, and when you recognized the change in Jonathan, you took the risk to accept salvation.
“Since Eric and I came together exactly as Destiny had designed, Serendipity was able to create the perfect backup in Jonathan.”
Paresh gave Eric a knowing look. “You and he are so similar that only you two can bring me back to life. If Lucien had tried to revive me, even using your blood, it wouldn’t have worked. When Jonathan attacked you, he became a link between us, capable of saving us both.
“If not for him, Destiny’s plan would have failed. And sadly, since the order to kill me violated the treaty, this was her last opportunity to deliver the prophecy, regardless of any obstacles. They left very little to chance, but Serendipity cannot work without it.” She clasped her hands in her lap and sat back.
“Jonathan didn’t realize he could revive
Eric and I was not permitted to intervene—as much as it broke my heart—” She glanced up at Eric. “Thankfully, Lucien knew what to do when he saw salvation slipping away.”
Lucien moved to the foot of the bed, withdrawn as though in disbelief at how perilously close they had come to losing everything. Without voicing his thoughts, he shifted to face her and reiterated Eric’s earlier question, “What happens now?”
“Eric withstanding, one drop of my blood permanently locks away the beast and opens your hearts, thus freeing your souls and letting you feel the grace of God and love.
“Immediate judgment is no longer suspended. As I said, it’s the natural order to live and die. Your everlasting life is no longer a given, it is now a gift.
“The wicked among you will age and perish. If they don’t repent before they die, they forfeit the right to enter Hades. Their souls will wander the physical plane until Judgment Day, when God will send them to swim with the damned in the Lake of Fire for eternity.
“Those who pass initial judgment can choose whether or not to become members of the flock and will wait alongside humans for Final Judgment. He is not holding you to a higher standard than His children. Like them, you are imperfect, so there is room for error, forgiveness, and... mercy.”
She took a deep breath and lowered her eyes as she revealed, “Gabriel said that God has granted Jonathan another chance at redemption due to his integral role in the prophecy’s fulfillment, but it’s only temporary. His immediate judgment wasn’t favorable. Jonathan must choose penitence, truthfully from his heart, and quickly.”
Though Lucien’s expression went unchanged, Eric felt like someone had grabbed hold of his heart. He stared at a spot on the bed with his jaw clenched.
Lucien’s eyes darted over Eric as he asked Paresh, “What did the Archangel tell you about the End of Days?”
“Not much. All I know is that the righteous among you will stand alongside the Heavenly Host to protect the flock from Lucifer’s wrath and then ascend to Heaven while the rest await their judgment. God’s triumph over evil has been preordained in the Book of Revelation. In you, His army will find additional strength.”
“So we came into the world fighting and we will exit the same way. Lucifer accused Jonathan of switching sides—now we truly have. Did He amend the conditions of the treaty?”
“He lifted them,” she said. “Each of you controls your own fate, now, and once my blood has sealed away the beast, there is no way to lose control in a rage. That leaves only choice—the choice to sin or not to sin, or to kill or not to kill—just like humans. Your existence is no longer a test of your control and limits. And, while stealing from the flock is still a grave sin, any human may choose to join you without needing to forsake God first.
“Gabriel told me that you are an honorable leader. He has faith in your abilities to guide your kind. You should adapt the guidelines provided to mankind to suit your needs.” She smiled and added, “For instance, the commandment requiring humans to honor their father is slightly counterproductive in your case.”
Lucien smiled in return, but it faded fast. “It may be in our best interest to continue living by the treaty for a time. Such freedom and unrestricted access to the flock may prove too tempting to some.”
He rose from the bed and bowed. “I’d be honored if you’d visit the Arc of True Blood for Winter Solitude later this year, though, of course, you are welcome anytime.” He met Eric’s eyes and then walked toward the door. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Lucien, thank you for saving Eric’s life,” Paresh said quietly. “Please thank Jonathan for saving mine.”
The elder nodded and stepped into the hall. Eric looked down at Paresh. “I’m going to see him out. Will you be all right staying here?”
“I’m not going anywhere, ever,” she replied, caressing his face with soft fingertips. “I love you, Eric. With all my soul. I-I thought I’d never be able to tell you—” A tear slid from the corner of her eye.
He tipped her chin up and met her eyes as he wiped away the tear. “I love you, too. Forever.” He gave her a tender, loving kiss and held her gaze a moment longer before following Lucien outside.
The sun yearned to pierce the dawn, but clouds shrouded the waking horizon in dim grayness. Leaning against his car, Jonathan’s shoulders were hunched, his body soiled from head to toe with dirt and dried blood. Once a pristine white, his shirt was unbuttoned to the center of his chest and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He held his jacket haphazardly folded over one arm and his hair fluttered loosely around his shoulders. He looked haggard and worn out, as if the night’s activities had taken their toll on him physically and mentally. He seemed almost... human.
As they approached, Jonathan straightened and gazed at Eric with guilt and sadness flickering in his eyes. Looking at Lucien, he asked, “Well?”
“If we live by His word until Judgment Day, we will perform a new Heavenly duty and then ascend to our promised place with the righteous. If we fall from His Grace, we will face an eternity of hell burning in the Lake of Fire right alongside our creator and the wicked. Destiny has been fulfilled. We now control our individual fates.”
“That’s not what I meant. I heard... everything.” Jonathan’s forehead creased as he stared between them, unable to bring himself to look at Eric. “How is she?”
“Fine,” Eric said. “I can’t say that I’d trust you with my life, but I trust you with hers. Thank you for saving her and watching out for her over the years. I never realized just how deeply disturbed David truly was.”
“Yes, well, I told you he was a sick man. And, for what it’s worth, you weren’t wrong about Simon. He confronted David and it cost him his life.”
Eric lowered his gaze for a moment. Then, he looked up at Jonathan and extended his hand. Jonathan backed away and walked around to the driver’s door. He and Lucien had driven alone.
“Know that I cared for her like a daughter and always will,” Jonathan said. “But that’s a small penance for everything I’ve done to you.”
Eric eyed him and nodded, letting his hand fall back to his side. As Jonathan disappeared into the car and started the engine, Eric opened the passenger door for Lucien. He caught the elder’s arm before he sat.
“I’m here whenever you need me,” Eric said in a solemn voice. Lucien’s lips turned up slightly, but he said nothing as Eric closed the door.
Watching the car pull away, Eric’s eyes darkened. One disgruntled vampire, let alone an elder, held the power to organize a coup, several could wage a battle, and a dozen could resume fighting the Great Holy War with dire consequences. That truth had spanned the ages, but with love and their souls caged in their hearts, the vampire race had forged a nearly collective conscience—only a few stragglers had threatened to shatter it and the VaSH had easily handled them. The remainder had desired the peaceful lives of men and patiently awaited the arrival of their Servator to fulfill God’s promise.
Now Death’s hand threatened to eviscerate their eternal souls from their bodies as they withered away like humans. Although only a few would face such an immediate fate, even an aging vampire with a vile heart posed a great threat to the rest as each member of the Nation faced a powerful new emotion capable of overshadowing the logic of thousands of years. How it ruled them determined the fate of their souls, just like those in the Realm of Man.
Eric had experienced the positive side of love and witnessed the negative side’s ability to rip families apart. Most vampires had not. And, the sudden ability to care for others above themselves paved the way to guilt and self-loathing. Eric had seen that in Jonathan.
How they reacted to the Second New Age remained to be seen, but the collective would falter, forcing their society to evolve. Some would be strong. Others would fall. Individuality loosened the High Council’s iron grasp and opened the door to anarchy. Only time would tell what that meant for Paresh, himself, the Vampiric Nation, and the world.
As he strolle
d up the walkway, he found comfort in the melancholy coo of a lone mourning dove, the first bird ever to perch upon his roof. Paresh opened the front door and watched him with loving eyes. He stepped over the threshold and pulled her close, knowing that he had begun a new chapter in his life, free from all vows of servitude and Jonathan’s manipulation alike, to live his life with the woman to whom his heart belonged for all eternity, no longer alone and finally whole. Sharing a kiss filled with raw passion, he held fast to his faith that as long as they had each other, they would conquer everything thrown in their path and all would work out... in the end.
NOTATIONS
Author’s Note & Acknowledgments
I was 13 or 14 years old when I had a dream that very much mirrors Paresh’s nightmare. It began as a tale of witchcraft printed on dot matrix printer paper (which I still have—I even have the original files on a “floppy” disc for a late1980’s pc!). That said, Paresh’s life has evolved based on personal experience, research, and education. But! She’s always been Paresh—named for both death, Perish, and for the house of God, Parish. Eric didn’t exist and David was the love interest (not as her uncle!). ^_-
I can’t possibly list everyone who ever influenced me, but early supporters were two of my English/Literature teachers: Miss Wilson and Mrs. Rinkel, as well as my best friend at the time, Rachel, and my mom, who always read anything I wrote.
At some point, later into the teen years, the subject switched to vampires. Eric popped into existence thanks to my first anime love featuring King Endymion, and the story as it currently exists slowly formed. The writing bug bit hard in January 2007. I wrote the first draft in 3 months. It’s been stuck in edits until now—as they say, “life gets in the way.” But that’s another (and much longer) story.
Thanks to all of my friends and family who have supported me. The newest incarnation was read and read, and re-read by many people and I’m thankful for their feedback, and for other friends who helped me work through mental blocks and offered support (like afternoon graveyard walks). Thank you to Jennifer, Liz, Betsy, Debbie, Amy, Ed, Jacque, Linda, Linda, Wilma, and my mom, Carol, and my daughter, Meredith. Thank you to Ethan for his professional editing services and insight. Thank you to the Civil War re-enactors from the 8th Illinois Cavalry (out of Chicago) for inviting me to play with them in Marion, Illinois, in October 2007. Surrounded by white canvas tents and crackling fires, these guys answered all my questions and then got me all decked out the next morning with my own Carbine Sharps rifle (on loan, of course) to march and battle with. It was quite different to “play” in the battle than to watch it—very chaotic and very confusing.
The Arrival (Children of the Morning Star Book 1) Page 29