by Lillian Grey
“Eden killed Eve himself? So that’s what he was talking about as we walked into the room…”
“Yeah, this place must have brought back a lot of memories. This is the last of Solanna what the Earth was before its recreation.”
“Eden said Eve came back though. How?”
“Eve was smarter than Eden in many ways, there were even many Solarians that wanted her as God. Eve however was more interested in the experimental than the command of thousands. Eve in one of her experiments attached herself to Eden long before they attempted the ritual to know if he was alright. It was this tether that led Eve back when Eden called her name when creating the humans. For years, Eden told himself some warped ridiculous story that he created the Earth and sealed the other Solarians away. He never did. When Eve was ripped from her body, he felt it and lost his focus, the manipulation twisted and not only were the Lunarians cast out, but the remaining Solarians as well. Both peoples souls so opposite that they split creating Heaven and Hell. Eden was left alone, the sole survivor responsible for the destruction of his people. Could you live with that pain? Knowing that you killed the person you loved the most and your people?”
“He began to believe a lie?”
“He loved her. When I left you, I told myself that it was for the better and that it would be okay. When I saw you in the desert, I had almost believed the lies I told myself. Then when you looked at me, I couldn’t look you in the eyes, it hurt too much to see you like that more than you know.”
“I know the pain,” Vanessa said, looking into my eyes. “I see what you mean; I told myself many times that you had left me because I wasn’t enough for you. I didn’t want to believe it, but I made it fit so completely that I began to have no doubt.”
“Do you still believe that?”
“No, I know the truth now,” I said and then kissed him.
“Ummm, yeah we are still here. Can you please go on with the story?” Ceil stated, and Vanessa looked at her with hate in her eyes, but I could tell she was curious as well, so it passed quickly.
“I do want to know the rest,” Vanessa said as well.
“Well, for the most part, the lie wasn’t too far off. Eden did create the human form and Eve’s soul, which was tethered to Eden’s, returned from the afterlife and took hold of the first human female. She was reborn, but her memories were gone and she again fell in love with Eden and he with her. However, once Lucifer found a way back, his presence left its mark. The lie Eden told himself began to break down and in anger and despair at Eve taking a bite at the apple at Lucifers suggestion. He banished Eve from the sanctuary he created here. Lucifer saved Eve from the fate Eden condemned her too, and she became his queen, and Eden lost all connections with Eve. Eve regained her memories once she was given Lunarian blood, and her soul was able to overcome the bindings of the human body. She was born for a second time and she gave herself the name Aaliyah. Her anger at Eden drove her to the brink of war again, now against her love. With Eve’s skill as a Solarian, and her new Lunarian skills she was more powerful than ever. However, Lucifer’s refusal to join her was enough to break her ties with him as well. Lucifer and Eden, both loving the same woman, sealed her away only because they were not able to kill her themselves. Her own depression was enough to cause her to block out the pain by forgetting and when freed, the Adam and Eve story triggered her pain and she made it fit to her liking. That’s their story.”
“Where does Lilith come into all of this? Why was she killed?” Asked Vanessa.
“This power that we can use leaves traces if you’re not careful. Lucifer left a trail of where he had been. He wanted Aaliyah to find him. Aaliyah went to Lilith to tell her that I was with her. She felt the traces Lucifer left behind and…” he sighed. “This sword, Lilith used it to send me a message, she told me that I made the right choice.” I pulled it from its sheath and in the hilt removed the two small pieces of metal that held the hilt on and slid it off. Etched in the metal was a note.
-Alik, if June has given you this, then I am dead. I’m sorry I never got to see Vanessa as vampire, but I already considered her one of us. Take care of her for however many lifetimes you two get to spend together. Watch over our family. I love you all more than my own life. Lilith.-
“So that’s the reason I had to give you that sword?” June asked, reading over his shoulder.
“Yes, thank you for catching on as well with Lucifer when he moved to kill me; I had no time to even tell you anything.”
“I could read your intentions no matter the situation; you’re my brother.”
“What about the other Elders?” Asked Vanessa.
“They will be dealt with; they agreed that Lilith was a traitor and should have died.” I didn’t bother to hide my hatred.
“ So all of this was because Lucifer wanted to see Aaliyah?”
“I wish I would have killed him slower now,” hissed June.
“Why was that so easy? You say they were these powerful people, so why was killing them so easy?” asked Ceil.
“They had a hard enough time controlling their emotions; how did you expect them to mount an attack of any kind? Besides, flesh is flesh. Be it Lunarian, Solarian, human, or vampire. All flesh can wither and die no matter your power, especially if you’re already weakened on the inside.” I explained.
"Who is she?" Asked Vanessa, pointing to Luna who had snuck up behind me.
"This is Luna, she is my new shadow and the last flesh and blood descendant with a direct connection to Adam and Eve."
"She is very shy." Vanessa said holding out a hand, Luna slowly reached out and took it.
"She hasn't had the best life. You can't blame her for being cautious. She might even give you a run for your money June." I joked
"Ha Ha, height jokes." June sneered.
“Well, what now?” asked Ceil.
“You can do what you want to do.” I told her.
“I was wondering if I could tag along with you guys for a while, actually. I love a good fight and they seem to follow you.”
“I don’t mind; there’s one more fight coming up, actually. I owe two vampire a visit.”
“Nice.”
“Vanessa?” I called out just before she slumped and I managed to catch her before she hit the ground. She passed out breathing softly in my arms. I smiled down at Vanessa as she slept. She was back where she belonged with me, and this time I swear no one will take her from me again.
Vanessa Stanton
Chapter 49.0
I don’t completely remember how we got back to New York, but my first memories after Alik finished his story were of Alik’s bedroom ceiling. I sat up and heard a soft purr at the foot of the bed and saw Nela resting there. He brought the tiger back with us? Do they allow tigers on commercial jets? Then I looked around and saw that Alik wasn’t in the room, so I slipped into one of his shirts. Nela woke up and yawned, blinking at me, and walked over to rub against my leg. She was just as affectionate as always. She followed me over to the main part of the house and Alik wasn’t there either, but I found my phone resting on a table. I realized that I hadn’t talked to my mom in almost a week and a half and Sam must have still thought I was in grave danger, so I dialed Sam’s number first.
“Vanessa!”
“Sam.”
“Thank goodness you’re all right.”
“Yeah, I’m fine and so is Alik.”
“I told you so you would be, are you at Alik’s house?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m coming over there now, I have to see you.”
“Okay, okay. I will be here.”
The phone clicked and I proceeded to dial my mom’s number.
“Mom?”
“Vanessa, uh, this is a bad time. Do you mind calling back in about twenty minutes?”
“Oh, I just wanted to check in with you.”
“Okay, noted. I will call you in a bit,” she said hurriedly.
“What are you doing, mom?” I asked puz
zled.
“What are you doing, Mariee? It’s your bet. Hector and Sheryl are robbing us blind,” I heard my dad say in the background.
“Are you playing poker with Sam’s parents?”
“Yep and we are losing, so I got to go. Bye, dear.”
The phone clicked again and I sat it down and remembered that it was Lilith who gave me that phone. I really missed her. She had loved me so completely in the brief time that I had with her. I couldn’t lose Alik again; being human in his world was a fatal weakness. I heard a faint click coming from the garage and I headed over there. The shiny black car was there glowing in the light while the smaller white one was tilted up. I thought it was on a jack, but when I walked around it, I saw Luna holding it up while reading a book Alik underneath it.
“Sam coming over?” he asked, still under the car.
“Yeah, she will be here soon; it’s late and there won’t be any traffic.”
There was a wrench lying on the ground a few feet from him and he reached out, but couldn’t get to it. I started to bend down so I could hand it to him when it slid over to his hand.
“Just what all can you do now?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, sliding out from under the car. He messed up Luna’s hair and she smiled at him.”
“Lucifer called them Manipulations?”
“Oh that, lots, actually. I haven’t completely explored it, but I can move things and manipulate souls outside the body as well as alter the nature of animals like Nela under certain conditions.”
“So she’s completely safe to be around for anyone?”
“She is from the garden, so she is safer than a baby kitten. If I had done it, it wears off if I get to far from the animal, or if the animal is strong willed.”
“You know I cannot lose you again, right?” I cut to the chase.
“I won’t leave you like that again, Vanessa. It was harder than anything I’ve ever done.”
“That’s not what I mean. I mean if your offer still stands, I’m ready to join you completely as vampire.”
“What about Sam coming over?”
“How long will it take?”
“It depends on the person; a couple of hours, maybe even less since you’ve had so much vampire blood in you lately.”
“Then do it; you can think of something to tell her. I’m ready.” I hadn’t noticed Luna was gone till I looked to where she was sitting remembering she had been in the room.
“Are you sure?” he asked, kissing me. He then moved to my cheek and then my neck. “There is no turning back.”
“You’re the one who doesn’t ask for directions; I know where I’m going.”
His teeth sunk into my skin, but it didn’t hurt. There was a strange sense of euphoria that flooded my body, but that quickly changed. It became harder to breathe and my vision started to get fuzzy; I felt close to passing out. Alik laid me down and took his finger and made a thin cut in his neck. The first few drips hit my lips and I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing onto him and drinking from his neck. It felt like I had been thirsty for days and his blood was the only thing that would quench my thirst. When I calmed and stopped drinking from him, I passed out. From time to time, I would open my eyes deliriously and look around the room, unable to move. There was something warm by my leg, but I couldn’t see it. I would also hear voices. I don’t know how long I was out, I just knew I should have done this a long time ago.
Vanessa Stanton
Epilogue
If you have ever had a dream in which you have died only to wake up gasping for breath and felt your heart pounding in your chest, you know partly how it feels to be vampire. My mind and heart raced the whole time as everything I had ever known broke down before me. At times, I was freezing with fear and at other times, I was burning with a passion to maintain my life. I could see all that was going on from outside of my body as well as in with sound alone.
“Vanessa, are you with me?” asked Alik, snapping me out of my contemplation. I feared that could become a habit now that I was vampire.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I asked ‘are you with me?’”
“Yeah, sorry. I was lost in my own thoughts.”
“Well, we are here. Are you ready?”
Alik took my hand and led me out of the car into the night. On our left was Ceil, hidden in Alik’s shadow Luna, and to his right was June, all of us draped in deep black cloaks. We walked slowly through the streets. It was as if the people around couldn’t see us or didn’t want to see us. We came to a condemned church in a dark corner of Rome. We looked around and no one was anywhere near. We slipped through a side alley and up a set of backstairs to an upper door. We walked past a few old rooms that could have once been offices on to an upper balcony that looked down on the floor. The inside was lit by candlelight that shone around the room from hundreds of candles. Around forty vampire moved beneath them. As Alik shut the door, Ario stood up from his seat, where the altar would be, to address his guest.
“Welcome, my children. It has been a year since we all were together like this and that time was marred with the attack from rebel vampire who wished to ruin the lives we have created for ourselves. In every life, there are bumps that you will come across and I wish that had been the only one. It is my sad duty to tell you of the loss of our sister, Lilith, and our creator Aaliyah.” There was a murmur of talk at this and Ario went on. “Please, will you join me in a moment of silence in respect for this great loss?” Ario and Ayara bowed their heads and put their hands together as if they were praying and the rest followed suit.
Through the beginning of Ario’s speech, I could hear Alik’s hand gripping the handle of his sword tightly and he steadied himself, trying to control his anger. I took his hand and he relaxed. When Ario raised his head, he froze as he caught sight of June in the back of the crowd before him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, and the vampire in the room looked back, not having
known she was there. All June did was smile back under her hood while Alik answered.
“She’s here to have a hand in your destruction, Ario,” Alik replied behind him, and Ario jerked around to stare into his face. Ayara made a twitch like she would attack when Ceil spoke.
“I would worry about myself if I were you,” she suggested, standing at Ayara’s left.
“You would kill your master, June?” asked Ayara, turning to look at June, but found her gone. She looked around; then the whistle of a sword through the air and the dripping of blood were heard.
“I have no master, only a mother who you did not protect, the day you allowed her to die you became nothing to me,” June said, her blade in Ayara’s chest.
Ayara looked shocked for a moment and then jumped, the hole in her chest slowly healing while June’s sword continued to drip blood. When two vampire jumped from the crowd toward Alik, Luna intervened and they fell to the ground and never got up again. Ario looked over at Luna, and then his eyes widened.
“Do you seriously think that you four can kill all of us in this room?” Ario asked.
“No, of course not,” I said
“We only wish to kill you two,” Alik added.
“You will have to go through our children as well,” hissed Ayara.
“You say that, but only two seemed to have responded so far,” Ceil stated.
“They will not help you. Your children have no sense of loyalty to you. When my mother said my children, she spoke to June, Vanessa, and myself. The vampire were never supposed to run rampant across the world, but you two never understood that. You two created a race that only bowed to the most powerful and heeded to the strong. They will wait to see who is stronger before they make a decision,” said Alik.
“You are good, Alik, but you are still a child compared to us. You will die here,” claimed Ayara.
She moved to attack Alik, but never made it. Ceil blocked her path and June attacked again, this time she dodged June, only to meet Ciel's a
ttack. Ayara fell to her knees and Ciel's blade was now dripping with blood. Ario tried to help her when Alik grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground, his foot in his chest and his arm facing the wrong direction.
“What do you plan to do after you kill us? The covens will not follow you!” Ario spat.
“Have you not listened to anything I have said? They will follow the powerful.” Alik said.
Ario twisted and Alik allowed him to get up. One of his arms was hanging with his bones broken, and then he attacked me. Alik stood by as he flew toward me; I watched his movements and they were easy to dodge. The ease at which I dodged him baffled Ario and his anger grew with the passing seconds. As he stepped into a punch with his remaining arm, I landed a kick underneath his attack and he flew through the air toward Alik and was impaled upon his sword. Ario looked down. He grabbed the blade with his hand when Alik pulled it out and Ario’s fingers fell to the ground. Ario fell to his knees and Alik walked around to look him in the face.