“Andie, what the hell is going on? Who found him?” he demanded.
“John, need to know basis. Banton was adamant you just hold on, and not say anything until he talks to you. It’s important.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll hold tight. Just have him call me when he can.” I could hear the relief in his voice.
“I will. Thanks, John.”
I flipped my cell closed, and looked down at Banton. His eyes were open, and he winked at me. “Good girl. Handled that like a real operative. We might have to get you a jacket, or something.” He winced as the van hit a rough spot in the road.
“Just hang on a little longer. Hang on,” I begged, gripping his hand tightly.
“I’m going to be fine, Chandler. Relax.”
The van slowed, turning a corner, and then stopped abruptly. The rear door swung open and Philippe and Grant unloaded Banton and wheeled him up a ramp at the back of a large house. A distinguished looking man about Mr. Gastaneau’s age met us at the door, holding it back while they wheeled Banton into a make shift examination room. Skipping introductions, he went straight to work on Banton, unwrapping his shoulder and starting an IV. Another man entered through the door, spoke to Grant and Mr. Philippe like he knew them, and then crossed to Dr. Lane. “I’m Dr. Reneault. The underground called me this morning and thought I might be of some assistance.”
Dr. Lane studied his face for a moment, and then nodded. They both bent over Banton, and Dr. Reneault drew some blood into a vial.
“Chandler?” Mr. Philippe called my name softly.
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you come with us and sit down. They will come for you when they are done. You look like you are about to collapse.”
Reluctantly, I let them lead me out into the yard. It was a beautiful winter day as many are in the Deep South. The sun was shining brightly, making the air seem almost warm. We walked over to a porch swing hanging from an arbor, and Philippe and I sat down, with Grant joining us to lean on a massive pole.
I studied Philippe’s face. You couldn’t tell he was anything but human.
“I’m sure you are still having trouble processing all of this.” He smiled at me, and continued, “I’m sorry we frightened you this morning, that scum made it necessary for us to reveal more than we’d planned to.”
“I’m so sorry about my reaction. I was just so taken by surprise,” I began, not really knowing what to say. “But I do need to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for saving Ava and for helping Banton.”
“No thanks are necessary. We would never let anything happen to a child, or any human, for that matter. And we know how special you are to Everett. Any friend of Everett’s…” He smiled at me, and patted my hand.
“You must know, Miss Collins, our secret must be kept at all costs,” Grant addressed me now. “We are underground for a reason. The military doesn’t even know about us. You must realize why. Our kind has been misunderstood for centuries because of the kind of scum you encountered this morning. The military or authorities cannot be trusted to accept that we are what we say we are. So for now, the Aldon do not exist. We are nothing but humans, just like you.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I know nothing.” I smiled back at him, assuring him I would keep their secret.
All of a sudden, I was so full of questions. Now that Banton was in good hands, I felt relief. And I needed answers. I knew Everett would tell me, so I would wait.
Everett’s car appeared in the driveway at the side of the house. Banton’s father hurried out of the car, and I met him halfway. He studied my face, taking in my swollen eyes, and then pulled me into an embrace.
“My sweet girl, you must have been beside yourself. Are you all right?” he asked, stroking my hair.
“I’m fine. I’m fine now that I know Banton is safe. The doctors are with him now.
“Doctors?” He inquired, obviously unaware of Dr. Reneault.
I spoke up suddenly. “Dr. Lane has an assistant helping him who is knowledgeable about the situation.” I knew not to say too much to Banton’s father.
“Oh, good. I’ll just go in and check on them.” He hurried inside the door.
Ava ran to me from across the yard. “Andler! Mommie Andler! Wook what Unca Ebret got me!” she squealed, holding up a stuffed giraffe with a large bow around its neck. I knelt beside her and let her show her new toy to me as Everett joined us.
“It’s something I had in the trunk. I bought it for Christmas, but I thought it might be a good distraction today.” He winked at me.
I hugged Ava to me. “Well, what are we going to name this one?”
“Ebret. Unca Ebret!” she exclaimed, and everyone laughed.
* * *
“Chandler, you can come in now. He’s asking for you.” Banton’s father’s voice sounded relieved. I handed Ava back to Everett, and ran to the door as Mr. Gastaneau held it open for me. They’d moved Banton to another room, and he was in a comfortable looking bed, all propped up on pillows and hooked to a couple of monitors and IV bags. His color was almost back to normal.
“Oh, you look so much better. Thank goodness.” I sank down on the side of the bed beside him. He put his good arm around me and hugged me tightly.
“I can’t say the same for you. Sweetheart, are you all right?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? Do I look that bad?”
He chuckled, and ran his hand up and down my back in a soothing fashion. “You’re beautiful, as always. Your eyes are just so swollen.” He reached up to touch them.
“What do the doctors say?”
“He needs some bed rest and more blood, but he’ll be fine in a day or two.” Dr Lane came in behind me, and smiled at me for the first time. “I’m Dr Lane – you must be the famous Chandler. Banton asked for you about ten times before we could get any blood into him.”
“Yes, that would be me.” I smiled at him. “Thank you so much, Doctor.” The tears came again in a flood. The relief of being free from all the terror of losing Banton washed over me.
“Hey...hey, everything is fine. We’re going to be fine!” Banton pulled me down to him to embrace me.
“Chandler, I think we need to get you to rest somewhere.” Banton’s father urged as he entered the room.
“No, I don’t want to leave, not now. Please.” I couldn’t think about being separated from him for even a second.
Banton winked at them. “Why don’t you slide in here with me? This bed is big enough for two.” He kissed me on the forehead, while Dr. Lane left the room discreetly.
Banton’s father cleared his throat. “I think I will go get better acquainted with my first grandchild, if you don’t mind.” He smiled and a dimple just like Banton’s flashed at the corner of his mouth. He then discretely turned to go spend time with Ava.
“I need to get some rest, and so do you. Scoot down here, please, so I can kiss you.” Banton’s lips covered mine. I couldn’t believe he kissed me so passionately, and in the condition he was in. He was swiftly back in control, comforting me. I snuggled into his side and everything was right with my world again.
I had no idea when I fell asleep, the exhaustion just finally took over. Everett woke me around five, just as the sun was beginning to set.
“Andie, Sister, you need to get up. We’re going to take you for a bite to eat and then we’ll bring you right back here. Banton’s mother is here, and she and Mr. Matt would like for you to come with us. They want to talk to you about taking Ava back with them.”
I sat up, glancing worriedly at Banton. He was out like a light. I hesitated, unwilling to leave him for even a second.
“Andie girl, he’s on good drugs. He won’t even know you are gone.” He urged me out of the room. Matt and Elaine met us in the hallway.
“Chandler, what an ordeal you’ve been through today!” Banton’s mother exclaimed when I came out of the room.
“I’m okay, thank you. I’m really fine, now I know Banton
is alive,” I sighed, still so tired I could barely stand. Mrs. Elaine put her arms around me, and walked me out to their car. Everett climbed in with us, and then we rode to a restaurant close by. Ava chattered away with Banton’s father. I’d never seen her so talkative with anyone, and I was relieved she seemed to be so taken with him.
Dinner passed by quickly. I didn’t even notice what Everett ordered for me, and I picked at my food as he and Mrs. Elaine talked excitedly about wedding plans and about Ava. Under different circumstances, I would have been much more apprehensive about them taking her so soon, but all I could think about at the moment was Banton. And after what happened in the house this morning, Ava needed to be somewhere safe, away from us.
Mrs. Elaine broached the subject. “Chandler, dear, I know thinking about Claudia and Will possibly adopting Ava Grace has been difficult for you. Banton told us how much you both have come to love her. I don’t want to force you to do anything you are uncomfortable with. You have been such a good mother to her.” She looked adoringly at Ava, who sat in Mr. Matt’s lap. “We just thought, with everything that has happened it would be good for you and Banton to have some time alone. Everett tells us you have finals Monday and Tuesday, for heaven’s sake, you don’t need any other worries. We will bring her right back to you when you are ready. We just thought this would be a good opportunity for her to get to know Claudia and Will. Is this all all right with you?”
I looked at Everett, and he nodded. I knew this was the right thing, but somehow I felt I was abandoning Ava. I watched her feed dessert to Banton’s father, and he was eating every crumb. I smiled as I held back tears, nodding to Mrs. Elaine. She rose from her chair and came to hug me.
“Let’s get you back to Banton, all right?” she said, kissing my cheek.
I held Ava close to me on the ride back to Dr. Lane’s. When it was time to tell them goodbye, I couldn’t say the words. I just held Ava tightly, the tears rolling unchecked down my face. Banton’s mother patted my shoulder.
“Mommie Adler, don’t cwy.” Ava wiped a tear from my face. “Aba will come wight back, okay?” She smiled and waved at me, hugging her giraffe to her as Banton’s father loaded her back into their car and strapped her in. Everett leaned in and kissed her cheek, and told her to be a good girl, that we would see her in a couple of days. He shut the door, and they drove away.
I stood motionless in the driveway, amazed at the little girl’s resilience. She had been abandoned, passed around so much in her life I hated to pass her off again. But I knew in my heart that this time was for good. And while I was happy her life would be so wonderful, so full of love with Banton’s sister and her husband, I was grieving inside once again, for the loss of a child I had come to love so much.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Come on, sweet girl, let’s get you inside. I know you are exhausted. And if you don’t start eating, Miss Thing, you won’t fill that dress out at all Friday night. If we have to alter it, Philippe will have an absolute hissy.”
I laughed out loud through my tears. The mental picture of the fierce creature I’d seen back the monster down this morning didn’t fit with the dressmaker having a hissy fit like Everett described. The Everett I knew and loved was back in full form. He walked me back inside and down the hallway to Banton’s room. “Seriously, Chandler, you have to take better care of yourself.”
“Now you sound like my mother. Okay, I promise.”
“What are you promising now?” Banton called from his bed. He was propped up again, and eating soup off of a tray.
“She promises to take better care of herself,” Everett stated matter-of-factly. “I don’t want her getting run down and sick, right before our big wedding. I just won’t have it!” He put his hands on his hips.
“I promise I’ll be good. Now, you need rest too. Go home, Everett!” I exclaimed, shooing him out the door.
I turned back to Banton as he was pushing his tray back. He took a large drink of tea, and set the glass back down, and smiled at me. Throwing the covers back, he motioned for me to get back into the bed with him.
“I sleep better with you beside me.” He grinned and flashed my favorite dimple. I complied, and snuggled in for the night.
* * *
I woke to the sound of Banton breathing in my ear. It was the most wonderful sound in the world. I turned to look at him, and he opened his eyes and smiled at me.
“Good morning. You look so much better this morning.” Banton slid his thumb along my jawline, caressing it softly as he studied me.
“I must. I can actually see you.”
“The swelling is all gone, you’re back to normal.” He smiled crookedly at me, propped himself up on his pillows.
“How about you? How does the shoulder feel?”
“Sore; really sore. Doc tried to get me to take some more pain meds in the night, but I told him no. I don’t want to slow my recovery, I want out of here as quickly as possible.”
“Banton, if it will help, take it, please! You wanted me to, remember?”
“That was different.”
“No it wasn’t. You just think you are Superman.”
“I’m fine. Nothing stronger than Tylenol, all right?” He had real irritation in his voice, so I let it drop.
Everett came bursting through the door about an hour later. “It’s time to take you home, Darlin’. You need to bathe, to change clothes, and to study. You have finals tomorrow, remember?”
“Everett, I don’t want to leave. Please, just…”
Banton interrupted me. “Sweetheart, please, for me. I’ll be fine, and you can come back tonight. I’ll talk to the Doc again, he thinks I can come home tomorrow. When you get back from class, hopefully I’ll be home to greet you.” Banton smiled at me reassuringly.
“Oh…all right,” I agreed half-heartedly.
“Okay, then, lets get your derriere home and in the tub. I’m sure you need to wash the funk off,” Everett exclaimed.
Banton chuckled as I leaned over to give him a kiss. “I’ll be back later this evening.”
As Everett and I drove across Baton Rouge, it was the perfect opportunity for me to ask him some questions. But I wasn’t sure where to begin.
We rode along in silence. I rested my head against the glass, watching the trees flash by in the rain.
“I know you are tired. Sleep, Darlin’,” Everett said softly. I complied, closing my eyes, and listening to the raindrops on the windshield. All of the questions whirled in my head that I wanted to ask him, but I couldn’t seem to sort them all out.
We finally pulled into my drive, and Everett was out in a flash, suddenly at my door to help me to the porch. Once we were inside, he rushed to start a fire in the fireplace. Soon the flames were licking over the logs he’d placed, and the warmth began to spread in the room.
“Bebe, why don’t you go up and get some sleep? I’ll fix you some hot tea.”
“Actually, I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to. My head is spinning with all of the questions I have for you! I don’t even know where to begin.”
“I understand. Just let me go and get our tea, you rest here on the sofa.” He disappeared down the hallway, returning a few minutes later with two cups. He handed one to me as he pulled a throw from the back of the sofa and tucked it in around my feet, placing them in his lap.
“Ask away. Anything.” He smiled at me.
“You are really one of those vamp…those creatures?” I asked childishly.
“Yes.” He glanced over his readers carefully, stirring sugar into his tea.
“But you don’t kill people.”
“No. Never.”
“Then, what do you eat? I mean, I guess I sound rude. But I don’t have anything to go on. Just Hollywood and old wives’ tales.”
He smirked and said, “We drink blood. We eat meat, animals only.”
“You don’t crave human blood like vampires in the movies?”
“Well, yes, we do. Any kind of blood or protein. B
ut we are satisfied in many ways, and we eat food just like you. Hollywood versions aren’t far from the truth, though, when it comes to the undisciplined – the Orcos, as you know them. Let me simplify for you. Think of the venom like a genetics- altering virus. Those creatures you have encountered like the one who attacked you in N’awlins, they were created. They were humans who were bitten. More than likely, they were bad humans to start with. I mean, it seems whatever personality traits a human has, just multiply and strengthen with venom. Yes, they drink blood, thirst for human blood, and some, human flesh. I suspect the carnage Banton saw on that yacht was the result of Orcos, or flesh-eaters.
“So how are you different? I mean, you and Philippe…”
“You want to know about the civilized. To know what makes me different, makes Philippe, Grant, the woman you saw at the house yesterday, Dr. Renault, makes us all different from them?
“Yes,” I answered quietly.
“Bebe, we were born…to human or half-breed mothers and Aldon fathers. We have tamed the beast, so to speak. We are carnivores, we drink blood, but from animals only. We crave and have to have so much more iron and protein than humans. But our underground, the Aldon, as we like to call ourselves, never feed on humans. That is why it is against our code, our laws, to bite a human. To transform one into this life after they have been human is a cruel fate. The body is raw and the emotions are unbearable. There are a few transformed humans who are able to master their fate, and have the willpower to live like the Aldon. But it takes a great inner strength. Most of those night crawlers you and Banton have encountered are nothing more than humans who have been bitten. They were of the street, or drug users, or on their way to being murderers of the ordinary kind. Then after transformation, they become killing machines. Those are the vampires of the lore, the legend. To any human who dares to believe any creature like us exists, that is the only truth they embrace, that which Hollywood has portrayed as vampires.”
“Does the military know about the Orcos, the ones Banton has been hunting?”
Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1) Page 29