Shadow's Light

by Nicola Claire

  I was still deep in my blank nothingness, the space reserved for Dream Walking and seeking using my Sanguis Vitam Cupitor powers. Maybe that was why it worked. Maybe Nut had just decided I needed a break after the hellish time I had in Álfheimr, no doubt a realm she couldn't reach me in. But, I was back in our world now, seeking her and she replied.

  My mind changed from a blank nothingness. A blackness more than just black, to a light-filled, bright white space. The sound of unseen, laughing children filling the air around me. The peace and tranquillity and happiness of the moment filling my body and making me float on clouds.

  I'd been here before, when I had almost died. I knew this place, I recognised the sound and sensation of being in Elysium. I would be happy to come here one day, to meet those children whose laughter fills me with such hope. To see my lost friends and gaze upon the face of my Goddess.

  I knew when she appeared now, I would not be able to comprehend her being in its entirety. A glimpse of a smile, wide lips, white teeth, dark skin. Golden pools for eyes. Long black hair silkier than any substance available on Earth.

  Her voice reached me first. Musical, compelling. It not only surrounded me, it went right through me. Neither here nor not here. Just was.

  “What would you ask of me, child?”

  “Save her.” I didn't hesitate to ask the impossible. This was Nut, she had saved me once. Maybe more than once. She was a god.

  “For every action there is a consequence, Lucinda. Are you prepared, my precious one, to take responsibility for this momentous request?”

  For Nut to call it momentous meant something. But right then, all I could feel was the residue of Samson's pain. I nodded in return to her question.

  “Say it, child, you must speak the words.” Words have meaning, not only to the Nosferatu. Nut is the Goddess of Light. She is our mother. The mother to all Nosferatin. Nosferatin were once of the same ilk as the Nosferatu. Words had meaning to Nut.

  I took a deep breath in and said clearly, “Please save the girl Gigi. Don't let her die.”

  Nut reached out and cupped my cheek tenderly. “For the suffering you have experienced and the fact that I was unable to aid you through it at all, I grant you this request, daughter.” I breathed out in relief, but Nut had not finished. “I cannot return her humanity. I cannot allow her to be turned without my influence having an effect. She will be different, Lucinda, she will be unique and you will be responsible for her life.”

  I wasn't sure what Nut was saying. I understood that Nut could not stop the turning now it had begun. And part of me acknowledged that any help from Nut would involve a tremendous amount of Light. But what the girl Gigi would become was beyond my comprehension. I had to have faith that Nut would not proceed, would not offer me this concession, unless it was going to be all right.

  I nodded, then remembered her request for words before and added, “I accept.” I couldn't lie to her and say I understood. You just don't lie to a deity.

  She smiled indulgently and then brushed her lips against my cheek. The next thing I knew I was back on the pavement kneeling next to Samson. My Light and Nut's Light blinding the night sky and filling the air around us like a tangible entity. I felt Nataliya and Aliath at my back, Sergei, Marcus and Matthias further back. And the Dark signature of a baby vampire in front of me.

  But, also more.

  I waited for the Light to diminish before I tried to decipher what I felt and sensed. It took a while. Maybe fifteen minutes and when it finally dissipated I felt so very weak. Nut had not only used her Light, but she had worked it though my body, entwining it with mine. I expected to see a star shaped Sigillum on the girl's pale cheek, but my mark was missing. Still, I felt connected to her. Similar to how I feel connected to Samson, Sergei and Nataliya. This new vampire was not of my line, but she was mine to protect and care for. That was now ingrained on my Light-filled soul.

  I heard Sergei instruct Marcus and Matthias to glaze any nearby curious Norms and to secure the area, but I didn't hear much more than that. The world was becoming fuzzy and a buzzing had started in my ears. Samson was still holding the girl, Gigi, but his tears had dried and the look on his face as he glanced at me was one of pure devotion and awe.

  I wanted to tell him it wasn't me, I'd had help. But the words just simply wouldn't form. I slumped against someone's body behind me, vaguely aware it wasn't a vampire at all. I don't know how long we all stayed there. Maybe moving the girl, or moving me, had been impossible. Maybe we were both worse off than I had assumed. Or maybe, the last of Nut's light was so comforting, that no one had the strength to remove themselves from its embrace too soon.

  Whatever the reason, it was many minutes later before Sergei said that Marcus and Matthias had returned with our cars and we should head back home. The fuzziness of before had lifted and I could finally get a good look at the girl in Samson's arms. I was sure he was not going to relinquish her to anyone. His possessive hold said as much.

  I glanced down at her face in restful and beautiful slumber. She was no longer breathing, there was no pulse at her neck, but she was not dead. I could feel her blood life pulsing in the air. The level of which far surpassed a newly turned vampire. It matched Samson's in fact, strength for strength. If I didn't know any better, I'd have said she was a level four Sanguis Vitam vampire, but that was impossible. It took nearly a century for most vampires to gain that sort of strength.

  I wondered just what Nut had created. What I had created in essence. The Rogue who had initiated her turning had been unusual. Stronger than most. But, that alone would not account for her power. I knew Nut's involvement at my request had given her more than she would have had otherwise. It had saved her life, given her extra power and as I gently ran my fingers over her pale, bare arm, I noticed what I had sensed but not identified before.

  She was kin. Brethren. She was a Nosferatin.

  I swallowed and let a breath of air out in surprise. Samson stiffened at my response and sudden stillness. She had definitely not been a Nosferatin before turning. She had been human through and through back at the club. Nosferatin recognise Nosferatin in an instant. She would not have been able to hide it.

  So, the fact that she appeared very much a Nosferatin to me now, as well as very much a Nosferatu to me too, meant she was something else. Something I had never heard of, nor seen before in my life.

  What had Nut said? She will be different, Lucinda, she will be unique and you will be responsible for her life.

  I brushed Gigi's white, white hair back from her face and leaned down slowly to lay a kiss upon her cheek.

  “Welcome to the family,” I whispered and I think only Samson heard my words.

  When I pulled back and caught his eye he looked puzzled, but then a warmth, an appreciation flooded into his features.

  “Thank you,” he said simply, standing in one fluid motion despite the dead weight in his arms.

  I smiled back, but inwardly shook my head.

  Don't thank me yet. Don't thank me yet.

  Chapter 26

  Recovery

  Marcus drove my car back, I was in no state to be in control of a vehicle. I fell asleep on the journey, letting my body relax even though my mind refused to. I was immediately surrounded by the sights and sounds of my parent's farm. Still so tired and sore form the fight with the Rogue, even Michel's dream creation couldn't completely replace all of that. The weariness and aches from battle were too deeply seated to be removed.

  “Ma douce,” Michel's voice drifted towards me where I lay unmoving on the grass hill above the farm. “Why are you hurt?” He lay down beside me on his side, so he could watch my face as I answered.

  “Rogue,” I managed before rolling over and attempting to sleep.

  Michel didn't say anything, just curled up against my body and held me tenderly in his arms. I fell asleep in the dream, safe and secure with his body wrapped protectively around me. I only woke again when Sergei lifted me from the car and carried me
up the stairs to my room.

  It wasn't unusual to be tired after a fight, but this was compounded with Nut's Light and mine combining, and what we had done to Gigi. This was more than the average wear of a fist fight. This would take some getting over. I have had time to come to grips with my powers over the past year. I have mastered my Light, as much as it can be mastered. But, there are still times when something never before experienced knocks me off my feet. Last night had been one of those times.

  I didn't wake again, in a dream or otherwise, until Nataliya gently shook me late the next day. The smell of soup wafted through my bedroom as she fluffed up my pillows and helped me sit up in bed.

  “Are you better?” I asked as she settled the tray of soup and familiar flat bread on my lap. A tall glass of pineapple juice sat next to it. I would have preferred coffee, but I wasn't in a position to complain.

  “Completely healed. I ordered in.” I laughed despite the pains in my body. Ordering in meant dialling up a take-away restaurant and having them deliver the food to your door. But, the food was discarded and the vampire instead dined on the delivery boy. Nothing heals a vampire better than fresh blood.

  “So where's the take-out?” I demanded, then added, “Not that this soup isn't divine.”

  “That wretched fairy ate it. I think he has developed a liking for pizza now.”

  I shook my head. I just couldn't picture Aliath eating a cheese crust meat lovers supreme. I would have, but the bastard beat me to it.

  “Hopefully he won't be here long enough to develop any more likings,” I said scooping more Ukha onto my spoon.

  Nataliya snorted. “I'm not so sure.” She sat herself down in an armchair off to the side of the bed and watched me eat. “He's asking an awful lot of questions about you. Maybe he's developed a liking for you too.”

  I groaned through a mouthful of bread. “Hardly. He can't stand being in the same room as me.”

  “He supported you, when you were recovering from your Light healing the girl.” Nataliya surprised me with those words, I just stared at her for a few heartbeats.

  “Maybe my injury puts a dampener on his plans to catch Lutin,” I offered.

  “Yeah, maybe,” she replied, but she didn't sound convinced.

  I refused to believe the Grey Lord had changed his mind. He didn't come across as the changeable sort really.

  I finished the soup and bread and downed the pineapple juice, then Nataliya left me to have a quick bathroom stop and climb back under the covers. I was still exhausted and the only way to recover was to get more sleep. By the time I awoke, feeling partially human again, the house was quiet and the clock beside my bed said 2am. I'd slept the entire day and most of the next night.

  Having slept for close to 24 hours, returning to sleep didn't seem like an easy bet. So, I got up and had a shower and ventured downstairs. I could tell Samson was here, near the new signature of Gigi. Nataliya was not, but three other vampire signatures registered from down in the cellar. No doubt Sergei, Marcus and Matthias. My guards, left behind during vampire business hours to keep a close eye on me. I was glad at least Nataliya had ventured out to feed.

  The downstairs areas were dark, only small night lights hidden in the corners were glowing. I didn't bother to switch the overhead lights on, instead slumped down on the couch and flicked the TV on. Not much to entertain at two in the morning, so I hit play on the Blu-Ray and waited to see what delight awaited my viewing pleasure.

  Eventually, after several long moments of doing whatever it is a Blu-Ray player painfully, tortuously does as it gears up to perform, the movie Paul began. I hadn't seen this one, but knew it was a comedy so settled in to let the laughter roll.

  It took a few minutes for me to realise I wasn't alone. Not that the movie was holding all of my attention, on the contrary, my mind was wandering over last nights events. But finally, I sensed him sitting quietly in the corner watching me. I think he'd been there all along. Just as well I hadn't made any inappropriate noises.

  “You can come and sit over here, if you like. You'll see the movie better,” I said without looking at him.

  He didn't answer, but stood smoothly and walked over to the sofa, sitting beside me with equal grace.

  “We do not have television in Álfheimr,” Aliath said, making himself more comfortable on the couch, like he'd watched a hundred movies sitting beside me before.

  Neither of us said anything for a while, just watching the mayhem unfold on the screen. Finally the fairy said, in a more quiet movie moment, “You slept a long time. Does the Light wear you out?”

  I immediately tensed at the question. Talking about my Light, let alone about being compromised by my Light, was not something I did readily. Let alone something I would discuss with a fairy. But, he had seemed genuinely concerned. I couldn't sense any ulterior motive off him, but then would I be able to? He was a Grey Lord.

  “Why do you want to know?” If I could get a straight answer out of him, knowing he couldn't lie, I would feel a little more at ease.

  Aliath must have sensed my reason for asking, as he didn't try to trap me in an obligation because I had asked a question of him. He just answered.

  “You intrigue me. You have command of a Light far superior to our own. Yet it was familiar to me. As though you have fey blood somewhere in your veins.”

  I frowned at his words. “I thought the Dökkálfa had Darkness not Light.”

  He laughed in reply. A startling sound because although it wasn't musical, wasn't wrapped in fey magic, it stole my breath away.

  “All Fey have Light, Princess. It is what we do with it that has garnered the term Light or Dark. I am of the Dark Fey, but I have as much Light in me as your elska.”

  “He's not my elska,” I replied automatically.

  “He is to us, therefore he is.” Oh bloody hell, so like the vampires and their sense of perception of truth.

  I shifted uncomfortably on the couch. “So, can you do good things with your Light, not just Dark?” I asked, surprised that I was actually interested.

  “I am Dökkálfa and a Grey Lord at that. How can my Light be for good?”

  I let that sink in for a moment, then came back with, “Lutin is Ljósálfar but I do not consider his use of Light so far to have been for good. If I didn't know he belonged to their court I would have said he was Dark Fey, not Light.”

  “And if you didn't know which court I belonged to, what would you say?” he asked studying me intently. The movie all but forgotten for now.

  I held his gaze. “You have yet to use your Light in front of me, it's too soon for me to judge.”

  “Actions speak louder than words,” he said absently, looking away into space for a moment.

  I waited for him to speak again, when he didn't I turned back to the movie. It didn't take long to pick up what we had missed. Towards the end of the disc Sergei walked in. One glance at Aliath sitting next to me on the sofa and he baulked.

  “Mistress, you have been alone with the fairy?” he asked, as though the fairy wasn't there listening to every word.

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “We've been watching a movie.”

  “Alone,” Sergei replied. “Where is Nataliya?”

  I shrugged. “Not here.”

  He looked furious for a minute and I sat very still letting his vampire get back under control. Aliath rarely moved, so it wasn't hard for him to stay out of the predator's range.

  “Has the Grey Lord influenced you at all?” Ah, now it made sense. My Tego Texi Tectum duo weren't here to protect me.

  “If he has, I'm not aware of it,” I replied casually. Then realised when Sergei's eyes shot with a sudden flash of chestnut and maroon, that I could have chosen my words better. “He hasn't, Sergei. I'm wearing my Light as a shield.”

  “I would not harm the Princess,” Aliath said still not moving, then added, “unless she fails to hold up her end of the accord.” And with those words ruined the brief moment of peace that his initial sta
tement had wrought.

  Sergei moved stiffly to the other side of me on the couch and settled himself in for the last few minutes of the movie. I was betting Nataliya was going to get an earful on her return.

  In the end the movie was funny, but Aliath's conversation held more intrigue for me. I couldn't stop playing his words over and over in mind. Eventually, I stood up and stretched.

  “I'm going to check on Samson and Gigi,” I announced to both my companions.

  Aliath had stood as soon as I had, Sergei stood only when he noticed Aliath had done so.

  “Thank you for your company, Princess,” the fairy said solemnly.

  I forced myself not to snort, but instead said, “Look, I, ah, know you think I am a Princess and all, but for the time being, while you're here, can you not call me that?” He looked at me puzzled, so I went on. “I didn't want to be his elska. I sure as hell didn't want to complete the kvángask. Here I am a Nosferatin, a kindred, a vampire's mate...” Sergei watched me intently throughout this, cocking his head to the side when I said vampire's mate. I ignored his reaction. “So just call me Lucinda, OK?”

  Aliath held my gaze, his green eyes once again fairy vivid green. Not human, but mesmerising. He slowly smiled. It transformed his entire face. I sucked in a breath in surprise and Sergei stepped between me and the fairy, blocking my view of him completely.

  “Back down,” the vampire commanded.

  For a moment nothing happened, then the fairy turned and walked from the room. At the door he said casually over his shoulder, “Lucinda, it is a pretty name.” Then he left.

  Sergei rounded on me, face unreadable. “What the fuck were you doing alone with him in this room, Mistress?” I'm sure the mistress was added as an after thought. But the seriousness of his question, the weight of his concern in every word, made me realise how foolish I had indeed been.