Darkness Is Rising

by C. M. Sipes

  Vittoria changed directions and left to scan the other side of the city near her own apartment. She dipped and weaved through the buildings, passing her own on the way as she headed toward the nightclub near her residence. She thought it wouldn’t hurt to check there quickly and see if Lilith was around.

  She hit the ground quietly, the swarm soaring into her body as she walked toward the door that Marcus was guarding. She offered him a small smile as she approached.

  “Haven’t seen you in a few weeks,” he said with a white smile.

  “Been busy.”

  “I’ve heard. There’s been talk among the wolves about you being back with Marcella. I assume you two made up and met with Aerona then about the…problem,” Marcus said.

  “Indeed. Speaking of that, what have you heard?”

  “Not much. Some of the wolves are riled up though, worried about the increase in devourers. Others think it’s a good thing because of exposure.”

  “Aerona said the same thing about there being a split within the packs.”

  Marcus hummed. “There has also been talk of someone leading them.”

  Vittoria became intrigued. “Oh?”

  “Yeah. Word is that the leader, whoever they are, is pretty powerful. I haven’t heard much more than that. No one knows who it is, though, or where they even are. Just have heard some wolves talking about it.”

  “These wolves all from Seattle?” Vittoria asked.

  “Nah. Some of them have been talking to others from other cities. Word has been getting around. Everyone’s hair is starting to stand up, like there’s something big coming.” Marcus glanced back toward the door of the club. “Saw a new vamp.”

  “Oh?” Vittoria asked, her eyes looking to the open door. “You get a name?”

  “No. Never seen her around before.” Marcus shrugged. “Thought you might know her.”

  “You never mention new vamps to me, Marcus. Why this one?”

  “Something about her scares me,” he answered honestly. “She has this vibe about her. I feel like she could snap me in half if she wanted.”

  “I’ll take a look, thank you for all the information, Marcus. I will make sure I pass it along to Marcella and Aerona.” Vittoria smiled at him before moving past him and inside to see Lilith.

  The bass resounded through the club. Not many people occupied the space, as it was still relatively early in the evening. Regardless, some patrons hung around the bar or danced on the dance floor. The lights flickered in time with the beat echoing from the speakers, and Vittoria scanned the bottom floor before moving toward the stairs.

  She glanced up at the walkway, her eyes landing on Lilith’s still form. She took the stairs two at a time and made her way toward the elder vampire. As she approached, she could see the curious expression that adorned Lilith’s face as she watched the mortals dance.

  “Never been?” Vittoria asked as she came to stand next to the brunette.

  “No,” Lilith replied simply, unfazed by Vittoria’s sudden appearance.

  “Have you ever been to a bar?”

  “No.”

  “Movies?”

  “No.”

  “Amusement park?”

  Lilith rolled her eyes but gave a small smile. “No.”

  Vittoria sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “I think we may have to fix all of that.”

  “Oh? Why is that?”

  “Because you’re immortal and have lived for thousands of years and you’ve never done anything mortal besides sit in a coffee shop and people watch.”

  Lilith sighed before looking back to the dancing people. “Even if I would have wanted to partake in mortal activities, I would have been unable to.”

  “Like I said, we are going to remedy it. Starting tonight,” Vittoria said with a sly smile.

  “Tonight?”

  “Right now.” Vittoria grinned before holding out her hand.

  Lilith eyed the hand curiously before reaching out and taking it, allowing Vittoria to lead her back downstairs.

  Vittoria carefully placed them in the center of the dance floor and began to effortlessly move in time with the music. Lilith’s eyes widened, as she remained still on the floor, not bothering to move. Vittoria chuckled and gently took Lilith’s hands.

  “Just let your body move with the music,” Vittoria instructed as she placed her hands on Lilith’s hips and moved them. “Just feel the beat.”

  Lilith fidgeted, unsure of herself, but did as instructed. She focused on the sound of the music and began to move. Her hips met each beat as she danced, allowing the music to flow through her body as she felt each vibration.

  Vittoria’s eyes widened at the ease with which Lilith moved. She shook herself from her brief trance and continued to dance, even earning a smile of enjoyment from the elder vampire. They continued like that for a few more songs before Vittoria pulled the other woman toward the bar and ordered them two drinks.

  “Alcohol does nothing for us. Why are we drinking it?” Lilith asked as she sniffed the drink Vittoria handed her. “What is this?”

  “I enjoy the taste of the alcohol. Also, it makes us appear normal,” said Vittoria with a smile, earning a small one in return. “It’s called a whisky sour.”

  Lilith took a sip, her eyebrows rising. “It is not unpleasant.”

  “You like it,” Vittoria stated with a grin as she sipped her own.

  “Thank you for this…tonight,” Lilith said quietly.

  “Now that you’re awake, we will have to do some more mortal things.”

  “Such as the movies, amusement park, and bar?”

  “This technically counts as the bar, but we can frequent others.” Vittoria took another swig of her drink. “And yes, such as those things.”

  “I think I might enjoy that,” Lilith said honestly with a smile.

  “This is the most I have ever seen you smile,” Vittoria commented seriously.

  Lilith looked at her drink intensely, unsure of what to say in reply.

  “You would occasionally smile with Anatu—you would mainly smirk, and you only ever grinned when you were on a murderous rampage,” Vittoria explained softly. “I am glad that you are genuinely smiling.”

  Lilith couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on her face as she looked at the younger vampire.

  “May I ask you a question?” Vittoria asked.

  “I suppose you may,” Lilith replied as she sipped her drink. They turned around at the bar and faced the dance floor. Lilith’s eyes flitted over the people that began to enter the club while she waited.

  “Your accent is British,” Vittoria began. “How?”

  Lilith let out a boisterous laugh. “I suppose that is a fair question.”

  “I would believe so. Considering you are not British.”

  “No,” Lilith smiled. “I—” she stopped and pondered over how she should answer and what she should even say to explain.

  Vittoria remained silent, merely waiting for Lilith to be ready to say whatever she needed to say on the matter.

  “I was in London…when it happened,” Lilith said quietly, her eyes glancing to Vittoria.

  Surprise and then confusion danced behind Vittoria’s eyes. “When Isabel…”

  “Yes.” Lilith sighed. “I was awake, woken by your presence that night you sought the hag’s help. I wanted to check on you and see what was happening in the world, and so I ended my slumber. I kept my distance, far enough away that you would not notice or feel my presence, and close enough to be within hearing distance.”

  Vittoria waited while Lilith mulled over what to say next.

  “I quite enjoyed London. I liked the hustle and bustle of the city, the atmosphere of it all. So I stayed after you fled.”

  “Did you know what Marcella planned to do?” Vittoria asked, needing an answer.

  “No,” Lilith replied immediately. “If I had known what she was to do to Isabel, I would have intervened.”

  “You told us last n
ight that you managed to catch a peek of Marcella’s betrayal during your slumber,” Vittoria pointed out.

  “I did. It was a lie. I caught her betrayal because I witnessed it.” Lilith sighed. “I was on the other side of the city. Just exploring and watching the throngs of people…” she trailed off. “I felt your panic and your fear. I could hear your distress and I came running as fast as I could. I thought that you were in terrible danger.”

  Vittoria could feel the blood tears welling up in her eyes as the memory came rushing back to her.

  “I arrived just as they lit the fire,” Lilith said softly. “I felt…awful. Guilty even. I had only ever felt guilty once before in my entire existence. But, I felt guilty that day because I was not there to aid you, when you needed someone to step in. I was too late. If I had been a few moments earlier, I might have been able to whisk her off the pyre.”

  “She would have never been able to stay in London,” Vittoria said with a shake of her head. “Her disappearing from the pyre would have only confirmed the charges of witchcraft.”

  “Still, Vittoria,” Lilith said softly.

  Vittoria shivered at the sound of her name. She wiped away the blood tears from her face with a napkin, careful to hide the red substance from mortal eyes. “So, you stayed in London after I fled? Why?”

  “I wanted to keep an eye on Marcella,” Lilith replied with a roll of her eyes. “I wanted to make sure that she would not be able to locate you.”

  “You did?”

  Lilith hummed. “I made sure that your tracks were hidden after I knew you entered your slumber.”

  “I heard your voice.” Vittoria looked at the other woman. “Right as I was beginning to drift off to sleep. You spoke to me in my head, though.”

  Lilith sighed and stared down at the drink in her hand, carefully pondering what she wanted to say. “I have that ability if I focus. I learned it while I slumbered for the first few hundred years. You might be able to learn it as well.”

  Vittoria nodded, impressed with the range of powers that Lilith possessed. “So you came and checked on me.”

  “I did. I wanted to make sure that you were well hidden from mortals and from the other vampires. You clearly did not want Marcella to find you, and I certainly was not going to allow her to.”

  “Thank you,” Vittoria said sincerely. She reached out and gently touched Lilith’s hand; slightly startling the elder vampire, but she didn’t draw away.

  “You’re welcome,” Lilith said softly before clearing her throat. “I also remained in London because it was entertaining. I helped keep the bloodluster population in check as well. So, I was fairly busy.”

  “So that’s why you have the accent,” Vittoria said with a grin.

  “I wanted to adapt. After some time I picked up the accent and then I slumbered once more. Being asleep for hundreds of years does help one retain their accent.” Lilith’s mouth twitched slightly.

  “I would say it does.”

  “You’ve adopted an American accent though.”

  “Well, living in the United States for a few hundred years will do that,” Vittoria replied with a light chuckle.

  They stood in silence for a few moments.

  “Marcella was a mess after you fled,” Lilith said, startling Vittoria.

  Vittoria remained silent; patiently waiting for Lilith to continue with whatever else she had to say on the matter.

  “She was horribly depressed for months. She went out every night for a few hours and searched all of England looking for you. Eventually she sent scouts to search for you. She was so miserable that even I began to feel sorry for her.” Lilith sighed. “Did you know that she actually offered protection to the local witch covens from the bloodlusters and devourers?”

  Vittoria’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I had no idea.”

  Lilith hummed. “The witches were quite grateful, and they even warned Marcella of any hunters that were passing through so they could be disposed of. It was quite a marvel to behold really.”

  “I’m shocked, to say the least.”

  “I was as well.” Lilith nodded in agreement. “Her hatred for witches was frightening. Yet she managed to make peace with them because of the guilt she felt.” Lilith paused. “Quite miraculous.”

  Vittoria was in shock. She leaned back against the bar, her eyes focused on the throng of dancing people as Lilith silently stared at her.

  “She became cold after some time. I watched her change—grow colder, more ruthless. She retained the peace with the witches, even after I left to slumber. But, she certainly had changed.” Lilith glanced to the dance floor. “She seems more like her old self now that you have returned.”

  Vittoria swallowed thickly but nodded.

  “I did not mean to upset you,” Lilith said softly. “I just thought you should know.”

  Vittoria shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m glad that you told me.”

  Lilith offered her a small smile before Vittoria groaned suddenly. “What is it?”

  “I forgot that there is a council meeting happening and Marcella asked me to attend. If I wanted to.”

  “Ah, then you certainly should,” said Lilith, grinning as she sat their empty drinks on the bar. She moved to stand a moment later.

  “Where have you been staying this whole time?” Vittoria asked as they walked toward the exit.

  “Around,” she replied easily.

  “Well, you are more than welcome to stay at my apartment,” Vittoria said.

  “Will you be remaining with Marcella, then?” Lilith asked curiously as they stepped out into the night air.

  Marcus nodded to them as they walked by, heading in the direction of Vittoria’s apartment.

  “No. I’ll be staying at my place unless I would need to remain at the coven house. I’m not fully ready to return,” Vittoria replied as they approached her building. “I’ll show you which it is and give you my spare key.”

  They quickly ascended the stairs and reached Vittoria’s door.

  “Sorry about the mess,” Vittoria said as she turned the lights on and Lilith began inspecting the apartment. “Emma was crashing here for a while, and was heavily invested in the investigation.” She gestured to the slew of papers that still remained.

  Lilith chuckled. “I can see that.” She disappeared into the bedroom before coming back out. “You only have one bed.”

  Vittoria played with her hair. “Yeah, I can sleep on the couch or even crash at Marcella’s some nights. I just want to make sure you have somewhere to stay that is safe and away from the other vampires.”

  Lilith offered a sly smile. “I do not mind sharing, Vittoria.”

  Vittoria could feel heat rise to her cheeks and she coughed nervously before stuttering out an ‘I should go’ and all but fleeing from her apartment. She heard Lilith’s laugh as she departed, racing from the building toward the coven house. Vittoria mentally scolded herself for her departure. She never became flustered.

  She reached the house soon and made her way through the hallways, looking for the stairs to the basement. Marcella always kept her throne room on the lowest level of the houses to avoid detection, and this one was no different. Two guards stood outside the doors, their eyes widening when she approached, but they moved aside to grant her entrance. Vittoria easily opened the heavy doors as she rolled her shoulders in preparation of being back.

  She stepped into the room, all eyes falling on her with hushed whispers flittering through the air.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Her eyes fell on Marcella.

  The elder Queen nodded to her heir, slightly surprised that she had shown up to a meeting willingly. “Vittoria. Welcome home.”

  The blonde dipped her head in a light bow before moving to where her own throne resided. Regally, she sat down and crossed her legs. Her elbow sat propped up on the armrest of the throne as she leaned her head against it in preparation for the long meeting that was to begin.

  “Your Highness, welcome ba
ck,” said Atticus with a less than pleased smile.

  Vittoria suppressed her amusement. Atticus had never cared for her, or she for him. Their disgust for each other was mutual. The only difference being that Vittoria had much more rank than Atticus—and should she wish to pull a Lilith and dispose of him, she could.

  “Atticus. I see you are still here,” Vittoria commented dryly as one of Marcella’s servants placed a goblet of blood in her hand. It seemed Marcella’s call for servants was answered in record time.

  “As always, Your Highness,” Atticus said with a slight bow.

  “So,” Vittoria began, “what did I miss?”

  “Not much. We were just about to begin speaking of the influx,” Marcella informed her before taking a swig from her own goblet. “I wanted to know what new information the Council has to present on the issue.”

  Vittoria nodded. She knew that they needed to make sure that Lilith’s existence was kept a secret. Should anyone on the Council know about her they would have to dispose of them immediately to keep everything hushed.

  “I have some information of my own to add,” Vittoria said after a moment. “However, I believe we should allow the Council to present whatever information they may have first. I would not want anyone to repeat themselves.”

  Marcella smiled softly at her heir before giving a wave of her hand for the Council to begin.

  “Your Majesties, if I may present first?” Atticus asked as he stood. Once he received a nod from both Marcella and Vittoria, he began, “I have received word that there are influxes, just like ours in Seattle, in areas abroad. It appears that this is not just some random influx, like many of us believed, but rather an organized amassing of forces. I have also received word from my sources that the devourers and bloodlusters are indeed working together in all of these influx areas.” Atticus took his seat when he finished speaking.

  Marcella and Vittoria looked at each other and shared a look before giving a nod that the next councilmember could speak with their information.

  “Your Majesties,” Emilia began, “as you know, I have been heading the undercover investigation of the influx here in Seattle. Bloodlusters loyal to the Crown have successfully infiltrated the ranks of the others, and were welcomed without hesitation. They are still gathering information, as the infiltration only happened forty-eight hours ago. However, what they have been able to tell me is that the desire to be exposed and live in the open is a constant among them all.”