by Kim Faulks
The weight of Malik's words weighed heavy on his soul. "But what if it is Djinn. What if this is all that's left. What if we can't get her back from whatever depths of Hell she's found herself in?"
Silence filled the room before the fire born answered. "Then we've lost her forever."
Chapter 5
"Flight AC903 will be boarding at Gate 12. All passengers for flight AC903 please make your way to gate 12."
Natalie focused on the back of the man in front of her. On the outside she was still, barely moving a muscle, barely breathing while inside the fiery pits of hell raged.
"Excuse me, Miss." She ignored the feathered touch on her shoulder. "Miss, excuse me, Miss."
The insistent tone behind her was unrelenting. "Umm... can you hear me?"
Natalie spun, eyeing the rather large woman behind her and snapped. "What do you want?"
"Ah, I think you're bleeding." One trembling finger pointed toward her hand.
She stared down at her clenched fist and unfurled her fingers. Blood dripped from her nails embedded into the flesh of her palm. The drips splashed against the hard floor beside her and she followed the trail back to where the woman waited, staring at her. "Sorry, nervous about flying."
Her sympathetic smile stretched wider. "I understand. I used to be exactly the same until I flew from Sydney to Boston. I tell you, cramped in those tiny little seats with horrendous altitude sickness and a group of snotty-nose kids around me...."
The woman's voice faded into the background. She tried to remain in the moment, tried to nod and smile to be polite, but another voice was calling her and this one didn't care for spilled blood.
Where are you Natalie? The beasts are waiting for you. They want to tear apart your pretty white flesh. Don't keep them waiting Natalie... Don't keep me waiting.
The call drove a spear through her body. The connection was strong, each word tearing through her mind. She dropped to her knees and the floor shuddered with the impact.
Faintly she heard someone scream. "It's an earthquake... get down it's an earthquake." And cries of the passengers filled the airport around her.
The piercing wail of a siren hid her whimpers. She opened her eyes and stared at trembling woman beside her. The woman whose wide-eye gaze never moved off her. "That was no earthquake, was it dear? That was you."
Only one word slipped from between her lips. The sound was pathetic, not fit for an immortal with a power like hers, but it was all she had. "Please."
The stunned gaze softened. The woman heaved her body forward, her blouse rode up, skin squealed on the polished floor and big heavy arms yanked her forward into a smothering embrace. "Hush now, child."
And while the sirens continued wailing she let this stranger hold her. She savored this one last moment of humanity before the alarm stopped and the fire doors slid back into place. When the people around them started to stir, Natalie gave the woman a gentle squeeze and let her go. "Thank you."
"I wish you safety wherever you're going, child, and may God be with you." The woman whispered and pushed herself off the floor.
The airport staff moved around them, encouraging passengers to their feet. The line reformed and Natalie felt the steel doors slam shut on her resolve once more. Just a little longer... hold on just a little longer.
One-by-one the line reduced until she stepped up to check-in. The young woman recited the phrase without looking up. "Please place your luggage on the conveyor belt for weighing-in."
Natalie kept her voice rock steady as after-shocks of Kaige's summons ripped through her. "I don't have any."
Her head jerked up, eyes flashed with surprise. "Excuse me, you don't have any luggage?" Her brow furrowed and her hand wavered dangerously close to the underside of the desk. Was there a button under there? One, when pressed would summon security?
"I...." I struggled to find the words.
"Didn't you tell me your clothes were sent ahead dear?" The older woman appeared by my side like a guardian angel, for the second time. "You were telling me you shipped over all your things to your new address in, where was it again?"
The hostess glanced down at the ticket. "Bucharest?"
The woman nodded and patted her arm. "That's it, isn't that right?"
Natalie followed her guardian angel's lead and licked her lips. "Yes, that's right."
The hostess cocked her head, focusing on Natalie. "Are you okay, you look a little ill."
"Well of course she looks ill, we just had a damn earthquake. It's a wonder we're all standing here now. Why don't you stop giving this poor woman a hard time and get through this damn line a little faster."
The check-in teller blanched and fussed with paperwork. As soon as her focus was directed elsewhere the older woman gave her a wink. First there was the doctor and now this woman. She felt hope flutter in her chest. Maybe immortal creatures like her weren't damned after all.
Her ticket and passport slid across the desk toward her. "You're all set to board Ms. Summers, have a wonderful flight." She didn't hesitate, just grabbed her documents and turned. The older woman smiled and gave a simple nod.
"Thank you." Natalie whispered and then she was gone, striding through the terminal toward the plane which would take her into the depths of Hell. Hope reigned inside her in this moment, surging through her like a liquid fire, steeling her nerves. I'm going to get through this. I'm going to make it.
She pushed her senses outside herself, following that trail that led her to those she loved—and those who loved her. Alexander... Malik...a heavy silence greeted her. People brushed past her, and the clunk, clunk, clunk of broken suitcase wheels of those rushing to the last minute calls overhead, but she felt nothing—heard nothing but the emptiness inside.
Her stride faltered under the weight. Maybe it was for the best, only she knew what she was heading back to. Her body quaked as she made her way out onto the tarmac to board the plane. She climbed the stairs and listened to the hostess direct her to her seat while inside she was already retreating.
The animal inside snarled as Natalie settled into her seat and clasped the belt closed. She closed her eyes, feigning sleep while the black abyss called to her. In the darkness she didn't have to feel. In the darkness she only needed to survive. Hope was only a flicker, one small spark in an endless expanse. Natalie sent out thought to the unknown. Please God if you're up there help me to get through this...
Only the guttural growl of the animal replied.
Chapter 6
Malik's words were a stake through his heart... then we've lost her forever. Alexander stumbled, fell and then crawled away. Love was cruel, intent on tearing him apart and in this moment, he would've gladly opened his arms wide for the beast to finish the damn job.
All those years he loved her, worshipped her—longed for her. He should've stayed away. If he had, she might've had a chance at a normal life... a life where monsters weren't real, a life where maybe she’d have been happy... at least for a while.
"Vampire... you need to drink and regain your strength dammit!"
The Djinn came for him, gripped him by the shoulders and shook. Alexander brushed him away. "There's no point."
"So what, you want to give up now? Just allow her to go to her death?"
The question hit him harder than a freighter hurtling down the highway. The familiar pain of love and loss pierced his heart, tangled, mingled, until he didn't know when one stopped and the other began. "What else can I do?"
"First of all, you can stop feeling sorry for your fucking self and eat. How are we supposed to ride into battle if you're not even strong enough to stand?"
Ride into battle? Alexander stared at the Djinn. "It can't happen. No vampire can break the will of their maker."
Malik’s eyes blazed with a fierceness he'd only seen before in the heat of battle. "You said it yourself. Natalie isn't a vampire, is she?"
The blood she ingested from Kaige only fueled part of her immortality. The flame of Malik b
urned inside her as well and there was that underlying power from the Algerian Goddess, Makkah that made him uneasy. Could one immortal power conquer another? Could the remaining triangle of Djinn and Ancient be enough to break the bonds of a Vampire Mistress? He slowly lifted his head to stare into Malik's eyes. "You think Natalie could, don't you?"
The silence filled him with certainty. "We're going into battle. We'll get Makkah, kill that fucking vampire bitch and bring Natalie home once and for all."
Malik's sneer made him cringe inside. "Damn right we are. Now go suck on some young human and do something about your damn face."
The Djinn gripped his upper arms and hoisted him to his feet. The gears inside him were churning. There was no time to lose. "Right, you're right... thank you, my friend."
A simple nod was all that was needed. Two rivals, one fire, one ice, who loved the same woman and would die to protect her. "Blood... I need blood."
He stumbled toward the doorway and Malik's growl followed. "We both do brother, we both do."
Chapter 7
Natalie gripped the arm rest as they hovered somewhere over Craiova airport. The seven hour flight had been pure terror, wedged in between screaming babies and sullen old women. They barked at her in a language she didn't understand. From the aisle seat she caught the glare and scanned what she could from her aisle seat. The city underneath was a white-wash of snow. She looked left to the mountains and froze. The sheer cliffs looked impassable, the valleys in between a funnel—perfect for a trap. Somewhere out there her murderer waited.
No one would be out in a blizzard like this. The city was surely on lock down. The hope of getting a four wheel drive with snow chains would be slim to none. She'd have to travel on foot, lucky she no longer felt the cold. The wind howling through the mountain ranges was another matter.
The rubber tires skipped on the tarmac, bouncing the plane. The sharp intake of breaths echoed along the compartment. The plane banked left. Natalie felt the slide, she felt everything. She closed her eyes. Please, let this be over. The plane straightened, smoothing out as the engine raced in reverse. Metal shuddered, chairs trembled and they slowed, pulling to a stop outside the tiny airport.
Natalie waited for the yellow seat-belt light to disappear before she reached for her backpack and scanned the tarmac. Only one person waited, dressed in thick snow jacket. She expected no problems leaving the airport, she'd be lucky if there'd be any security at all. Her legs trembled as she rose, waiting for the initial rush of disembarking passengers before standing.
Her feet refused to move, her knees locked and released, threatening to take her down with each step. It won't be long now and this will all be over. The thought of this lingered, taunting her.
Did she have the guts to see this through? She pressed the button for the overhead compartment and wrenched her backpack free. Her mind raced replaying what she needed to do and the tortured faces of those she loved. She didn't know if she had the strength to see this though and there was only one way to find out.
She clenched her jaw, forcing her legs to work while the voice inside whispered. Come to me Natalie. Come. Her stride lengthened as she left the airport behind and headed for the town. She was headed for the mountains on the other side of the icy town. The tremors of her muscles stilled. I'm coming, you fucking bitch and you'd better be ready when I do.
Natalie stepped out of the airplane trod through the International Airport and shivered. Craiova was a blinding white everywhere she looked. The outline of cars crowded the street. Even the branches of the fir trees were sunken under the weight. Smoke billowed out of the chimneys from the houses, at least the streets were quiet.
Snow stuck to her boots, she could feel the icy fingers reach through soaking her socks and the bottoms of the jeans. The sound of a voice wrenched her from the thudding of her boots. She glanced up, catching sight of an old woman who waved her in from the balcony. The insistent tone of voice slowed Natalie steps. She could almost hear what the old woman was saying. Come in. Come in. Get out of the weather.
She shook her head and kept on walking, feeling the incline of the road in the burn of her thighs. The trees grew thicker, houses turned sparse as Natalie made her way toward the city outskirts—leaving the last of civilization behind.
Chapter 8
Thunder echoed along the mountain range. Alexander watched the Djinn move back, eyes narrowed, lips moving as he swore under his breath. He stepped forward, fist raised and unleashed a barrage of blows on the wooden door.
"Ah, I don't think he's home. I'm sure he would have heard by now."
Malik shot Alexander a deadly stare, eyes blazed. The vampire couldn't help but chuckle. "We left the guy alive, right?"
"I know I did, although I distinctly remember you forgetting something and racing back while I waited in the car. Care to tell me anything, vampire, before I smash down this damn door?"
This new conquest of Natalie's was beginning to get on his nerves. Damn humans, always messing up his plans. Alexander snarled. "No."
"No?"
He gritted his teeth. Fangs pierced the flesh of his mouth as he turned on Malik. "That's right. I said, No."
"Okay, then." Malik cocked back his fist and let fly.
Wood splintered. The door frame groaned and gave way as a cry tore through the air behind them. "What the hell are you doing?"
The two immortals spun at the sound. The human, Grayson, stood there with toilet paper in hand and a shovel. "First you destroy my damn mountain and then my door. Well done, both of you."
Alexander caught the movement and his gaze followed. Malik shifted away from the wreckage at his feet, kicking the still intact door handle away. The brass clattered, coming to a stop at the wall.
"Nice, real nice and that's why you guys don't have friends." Grayson muttered and headed toward them.
The comment took Alexander by surprise. He swiveled, aiming his question at the Djinn. "We don't?"
Malik shrugged. "I got enough problems taking care of your ass. I got no time for anyone else."
Alexander had never thought of this before, never realized that it was now him and the damn fire-breather. When did he suddenly turn old?
"I could have friends if I wanted to." Malik snarled.
Grayson stopped at the empty doorway. "Yeah. Sure you can. What are you guys doing here anyway? Where's Natalie?"
Malik flashed Alexander a glare. "You'd better tell him."
"Natalie's maker has sent out the call." Alexander tensed, waiting for his reaction. There were always tears with humans... always damn tears.
"Her what, sent out what?" Grayson growled, heading into the cabin.
"Her damn maker. Her mistress. The vampire that bit her for goodness sake."
Grayson stopped cold. His movements were slow as he turned and in that moment Alexander could see what Natalie had in common with the cop. His eyes hardened, matching his tone. "You mean to tell me the bitch that killed Natalie has summoned her like a fucking dog?"
Alexander nodded. "Yes, but it's a little more than that. The call is unavoidable. No one can deny it for long.”
"So where is she, where's Natalie."
Malik chimed in. "That's what we're here to tell you. She's gone and we have to get her back."
One nod was all that was needed. Grayson strode across the room and dropped to the middle of the floor. The old tattered rug was swept aside and he dug his fingers into the wooden boards, lifting them. The floor lifted, exposing a hollow. The human leaned down, reaching through the open floor and pulled out a bag.
"What's that?" Alexander asked.
Grayson answered. "Weapons that can't be traced."
"You're gonna need more than just guns, my friend." Malik snarled. "You're gonna need an entire army."
The human stilled and lifted his head. "So do you have one of those?"
"No." The Djinn answered. "But I know someone who does.”
****
The last time Alexan
der has stepped foot in the Arabian Desert he had Kasia by his side. The memory, an old wound was still raw. "She's not coming, Malik."
"She's coming, just wait." The Djinn growled.
The sun blazed above. Everywhere he looked was a washed out yellow blur. Alexander brushed the sand from his trousers, it was no use. The wind kicked up, layering his linen pants once more and muttered. "Damn desert. Damn heat."
"Can you shut the hell up?"
The horizon shimmered in the distance. Alexander knew this was more than a mirage. It was another world, one that was closed off to them—unless Makkah let them in. "Come on. How much longer are you going to keep me waiting!"
Everything was riding on this. They had no army, not one big enough to fight the beasts Kaige called her own. If the Algerian goddess ignored their pleas they were as good as dead.
"I think we've done all we can here guys. It's time to leave. We can do this on our own." Grayson's husky voice cut through the howl of the wind. They'd been waiting here for hours with no sign of ever finding a way through.
"You don't get it human." Malik paced, kicking up sand to smack Alexander in the face. "You have no idea what we're up against here. This isn't some crazed killer with a gun, we're talking about here. I'm talking about half bull, half human beasts big enough to rip you in two with their bare hands. I'm talking about wolves as big as a horse and there are plenty to go up against. We're gonna die if we walk in there with just the three of us. Natalie's going to spend eternity with the bitch who killed her, being raped and tortured."
"Not if I have anything to do with that.”
The voice came out of the roaring desert wind. The massive brute was a haze at first, sharpening with each step he took toward them. If Alexander still had a heart it would've leapt at the sight. Sakhr.
The glint from the warrior's sword pierced the glare. Alexander blinked and looked away to save himself from being blinded.