by C. M. Sipes
“Tonight,” Lilith said easily as she turned and headed to the doorway.
“Um…first of all, plane tickets are extremely expensive last minute. Second, plane tickets. Third, plane tickets.” Eva crossed her arms and looked at Lilith accusingly.
Lilith turned and looked at Eva, a secretive smile crossing her face. “We will not be traveling in a plane.”
“Then how?”
“We will fly.” Lilith waved her hand dismissively.
“We—we’ll fly?” Eva replied flabbergasted. “You turn into a swarm of bats! You can only carry a person for a few meters before you toss them!” Eva waved her hands.
Lilith merely chuckled. “I never said I was flying you. You remember that neat little trick of yours, right?”
Eva’s eyes widened. “No.”
“Yes.”
“Lilith, no. I am not using my metamorphosis gift on turning into something like that,” Eva replied sternly.
“Just turn yourself into a bird. I do not understand why you are so against this.” Lilith arched an eyebrow in question.
Eva squirmed under Lilith’s intense gaze. She knew the ancient was silently assessing her now, taking in her smell, her muscles twitching, and her body language.
“I got shot a few times,” Eva explained seriously. “Bow and arrow, gun, a rock once…it has made me very anxious about transforming and flying.”
“Well, you need to get over it. I will be right next to you, and I will not let you get hit by anything.” Lilith looked at her seriously before turning and moving back to the door.
“What time tonight, Lilith?” Eva asked with a sigh.
“The sun has almost risen. I will come here just after sunset. We leave then.”
“Hey,” Vittoria greeted tiredly from her position on the couch. Emma’s head was in her lap, fast asleep.
Lilith merely arched a questioning eyebrow, carefully shutting the front door behind her, as her eyes landed on Emma.
“We talked about her dream for a while and once I managed to calm her down she passed out,” Vittoria explained as Lilith rounded the couch and took a seat in an empty chair.
“What else did she see?” Lilith asked.
“Apparently she saw flashes of herself—well, past self—murdering children. She said that she felt angry and anxious, like she was looking for something specific but was having difficulty finding it.” Vittoria glanced down at Emma and then at Lilith. “We will have to tell her soon.”
“Perhaps we should tell her she is a witch first and then ease her into the rest. If we tell her about her past, she will only refuse to be trained,” Lilith explained before sighing. “Perhaps when she wakes up, you should tell her and, whenever Eva and I return, she can begin her training.”
“When you and Eva return?” Vittoria asked, her eyebrows shooting to her forehead.
“I need her assistance.”
“This has to do with your plan for me, obviously.”
“Yes,” Lilith replied easily.
“So, where are you going?” Vittoria asked softly.
“Brazil.”
“Brazil?” Vittoria’s mouth hung agape. “You’re going off to another country in the middle of this mess?”
“I need to do this. I am taking every precaution to make sure nothing happens to you when the plan is executed,” Lilith said quietly.
“‘When the plan is executed,’ ‘taking every precaution’…you won’t even tell me what this plan is, even though I am a key player in it,” Vittoria whispered angrily. Her eyes turned to their deep red as she stared at Lilith accusingly.
“If I wait any longer, we may run out of time and it will not be safe enough for me to leave. Besides, your council member sent a hunter to spy on us. It will be safer if I leave for a bit.”
“I disposed of Atticus. You’re safe,” Vittoria countered.
“You do not know that. Others could think the same. You have only just found this information. You need time to begin checking your ranks,” Lilith replied calmly.
Her eyes met Vittoria’s blood-red, and she could see her muscles rippling beneath the surface as she attempted to hide her anger. She knew Vittoria was trying to keep as calm as possible so she would not wake Emma from her slumber.
“I will return soon,” Lilith said softly before standing.
Vittoria eyed her a few moments before sighing. “When will you leave?” she asked defeated.
“Tonight after sunset.” Lilith moved to Vittoria and carefully lifted Emma’s head so that she could stand.
Vittoria rose from the couch and removed the blanket from the sofa before placing it over Emma’s slumbering form. She nodded in the direction of the bedroom and headed there with Lilith following behind. Once they were both in the room, she closed the door and looked at Lilith.
“How long will you be gone?” Vittoria asked softly as she removed her shirt and began dressing for bed.
Lilith’s eyes followed Vittoria’s movements as she changed. “Hopefully, only a few days. It will depend on how difficult the witch is to locate.”
Vittoria paused her actions, leaving herself standing in just a tank top and her underwear. “Witch?”
Lilith worked her jaw for a moment. “I cannot execute this plan by myself. I need a very gifted witch for this—if I want us both to be completely safe. Eva is not as skilled as this other, and we are hoping that he will be able to perform the task.”
“Your plan involves magic?” Vittoria asked, her eyebrows rising slightly.
“Apparently, it is necessary.” Lilith moved to Vittoria, coming to stand in front of her. She glanced down to meet her eyes. “When I first began on this path with my plan, I did not really care what would or could happen to the Queen I needed. I just knew that I needed Enki disposed of.” She paused a moment, her eyes searching Vittoria’s. “You changed all of that. From the moment I tested you. I will not put you in a danger I cannot pull you back from.”
Vittoria grimaced before taking a step closer and tucking her head into Lilith’s neck. She wrapped her arms around the ancient and held her, enjoying the feeling of closeness she was finally able to experience.
Lilith sighed and wrapped her arms around Vittoria, holding her close for a few moments before tilting Vittoria’s head up slightly. She leaned in and carefully placed a kiss on her lips, sighing in contentment as they made contact. She actually felt torn between staying and taking a chance against Enki, and leaving to continue with her plan.
They broke from the kiss and Vittoria leaned back so she could look into Lilith’s eyes. “Just come back safe, and don’t take too long.”
Lilith merely nodded before stepping away from Vittoria and beginning to ready herself for bed. The younger vampire moved to the bed and crawled beneath the sheets, her eyes glancing to the blinds and noting the soft sunlight that was visible before scooting underneath the covers more. She became lost in thought and jumped slightly when she felt the bed dip.
“What are you thinking about?” Lilith asked as she slid under the covers.
Vittoria rolled over to face the other woman. “Emma. She is going to freak out whenever I tell her.”
Lilith offered a sympathetic smile. “Imagine what Marcella’s reaction will be.”
Vittoria groaned while Lilith chuckled. “She will be less than pleased,” Vittoria commented.
“Have faith. She may surprise you,” Lilith replied softly before nervously biting her lip.
“What is it?” Vittoria asked, slightly surprised by the action.
Lilith worked her jaw as she considered her words. “I was wondering if you would mind if I held you tonight?” Lilith asked carefully.
Vittoria smiled before rolling over and scooting back toward Lilith. She pressed her backside to Lilith’s front and reached behind her to grasp the ancient’s arm, and placed it over her waist.
Lilith scooted a little closer and tightened her hold on Vittoria before laying her head against the pillow, Vittori
a’s hair tickling her nose slightly. She lightly kissed the shoulder in front of her, smiling softly as she felt Vittoria’s muscles twitch. She began to feel the pull of sleep and closed her eyes, darkness encasing her shortly after.
Vittoria stayed awake for a few more moments, ignoring the pull of sleep. Her mind lingered on Lilith’s impending departure, the plan, and Emma’s past. She felt Lilith’s body stiffen slightly, signaling that the ancient had begun her slumber. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of having someone hold her. The presence soothed her anxiety, and she gave in to the call of sleep a few seconds later.
***
“Come, Namtilla,” Lilith said as she exited the witch’s shop.
“It’s Eva,” Eva corrected with a roll of her eyes.
“Will you be able to keep up with me?” Lilith asked seriously.
“Yeah, I just need to alter the spell a little and I’ll be able to match your speed and stamina…well, at least be close.” Eva took a deep breath before going silent.
Lilith merely looked at the young witch and arched an eyebrow in expectation.
“Alright, alright,” Eva mumbled. “It’s been awhile since I’ve shifted so just give me a moment.”
“Very well,” Lilith replied as she crossed her arms.
Eva took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders, readying herself as best as she could before closing her eyes. She muttered the words under her breath and allowed herself to be pulled into the void. She began to feel her body shift; her legs and arms shrinking before her bones cracked and popped, shaping into the form of a falcon. She felt her nose extend into a beak as her eyesight sharpened drastically—talons grew from the nails on her feet, and her arms shifted into wings.
Eva looked up from her spot on the ground, her feathered head turning to gaze at Lilith. She squawked, irritated with the pleased look on Lilith’s face.
“Are you ready?” Lilith asked seriously.
Eva squawked in reply before pushing off the ground, her wings flapping hard as she soared into the sky, faster than any normal bird.
Lilith smiled as she watched Eva fly off. She was impressed with the speed the witch was displaying but found it hard to believe she would be able to keep up with her own.
She leapt into the air, her body effortlessly shifting into her swarm as she flew into the sky, soaring like a rocket. She reached Eva quickly, the witch giving an irritated squawk that she had caught her so soon.
They flew steadily throughout the night, their intense speed pushing them over the expanse of the neighboring states in just a few hours. As the sun began to rise, they both landed on the eastern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico.
Eva shifted back to her human form, her legs shaking with exhaustion as she fell to the ground.
“Are you alright?” asked Lilith, her voice tinted with concern as she knelt next to the witch.
“I’ve never had to fly that far and fast before. I don’t think I can keep going,” Eva panted.
Lilith looked around, recalling that they had flown over part of the Rio Grande just a bit away. “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
“The sun is rising soon,” Eva said pointedly, her head slumping with exhaustion, but did as Lilith said.
Lilith lifted Eva in her arms and took off back the way they came, racing across the desert landscape. Her eyes landed on the approaching sunlight and pushed herself a little faster, bringing them to a halt at the Rio Grande River. She sat Eva down near the water’s edge, watching as the witch drank quickly and greedily. She felt her stomach growl angrily and groaned in irritation.
“You need to feed,” Eva commented tiredly from her position at the river.
“I can wait until tonight,” Lilith lied.
“Go find someone to eat. I don’t want to wake up on the other side…again, because you couldn’t control yourself,” Eva replied. “I will be here.”
Lilith looked at the witch for a few moments before rushing off along the river.
She had managed to find a small settlement of campers, draining two of them dry and hiding the bodies before she raced back toward Eva. She reached her shortly after, finding the young witch fast asleep on the cold ground and slightly shivering.
She looked around the landscape, her eyes focusing on the still rising sun. She bent down and lifted her, holding her tight as she raced off across the desert. She ran for hours with the slumbering witch—the sun high in the sky by the time they reached the Colombian border. Lilith had managed to find paths through the various forests, keeping them out of sight from locals and the brightening sun.
She could easily stay in direct sunlight for almost a full day before she would begin to even feel the sting of the rays, a benefit to being the First and living for thousands of years. But they needed to stay out of sight from mortals since they could be easily spotted.
Eva finally began to stir in her arms as she ran through Colombia, continuing to stick to the forests and weaving in between the trees. Lilith came to a halt and sat Eva down as the witch began to awaken from her slumber.
“Where are we?” Eva asked. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she looked at their surroundings.
“We are almost at the Brazilian border,” Lilith explained as she took a seat next to Eva. Her eyes flitted over the various trees and plants, taking in the bright colors of the flowers and movement of the animals.
“You ran throughout the day? What if someone had seen you?” Eva asked frantically.
“No one saw me. I have been sticking to the forests.”
“What if Enki had seen you? You could have passed him at a point! He could have your scent!” Eva continued.
Lilith arched her eyebrow. “You think I would not remember that beast’s scent? Or that I would so carelessly leave myself on display for him to find so easily?”
Eva closed her mouth and sighed. “I just really don’t want you to be reckless. Vittoria would probably kill me.”
Lilith gave a soft smile. “I have no doubt of that. But, do not worry yourself. I was careful. Now, if you think you have it in you, perhaps you could transform yourself once more?”
“Are we sticking to land or flying?” Eva asked as she stood and stretched her limbs.
Lilith glanced around them. “Do you know where about this witch lives in the Amazon?” Lilith asked as she stood, ignoring Eva’s inquiry.
“No idea. I’m lucky that I found out this much. Tracking fellow witches, especially one that really does not want to be found, is no small task.”
Lilith sighed. “The Amazon is almost 2.2 million square miles. You are sure he is in the portion within Brazil?”
“Positive.”
“That narrows our search a tad more.” Lilith continued to look around them. “You used a locator spell, correct?”
“Of course,” Eva said as she reached into the small backpack she was carrying. “Oh also, can we eat something real quick before we continue on? I’m starving.”
“Look over the map, I will go catch you some food.” Lilith departed a moment later, leaving Eva alone in the forest.
She pulled out the map, her bloodstain encompassing the majority of the Amazonian region, sighing while looking it over. According to where the bloodstain began, they would need to cross the border and then head southeast. After that, it would all be a matter of luck.
“I hope you like fish,” Lilith said as she returned. She proudly tossed the three large fish down on the ground.
“I’ll light a fire, but you can gut them,” Eva said as her nose crinkled in disgust.
Lilith raised her eyebrows in amusement, but did as asked while Eva began making the fire and spits for the fish.
“I’m surprised that you are so accommodating. You’ve changed much since we last saw each other.”
“Actually, slumbering for so many years not only lessened the effects of the bloodlust, but lessened the madness as well,” Lilith said seriously.
“I can tell the difference. You seem…nor
mal,” Eva said. “Almost.”
Lilith chuckled and continued with her task while Eva managed to make a small fire.
“Vittoria have anything to do with your pleasant disposition?” Eva asked innocently.
Lilith placed the fish on the spits and looked at the young witch. “Well, I am certainly happier than I’ve ever known to be.”
Eva let out a pleased squeak as she placed the fish over the fire. “Tell me all about it.”
“May I see the map?” asked Lilith, changing the subject. Her eyes were intently staring at the piece of parchment.
Eva handed her the map with a roll of her eyes before grabbing one of the cooked fish and eagerly tearing into it, moaning at the taste. She hadn’t eaten since they had left for their journey, and shifting took a lot of energy.
“I know where he is,” Lilith said quietly, causing Eva to pause mid-bite.
“How?” she asked, startled that it was possible.
“Here,” Lilith showed Eva.
“Why do you think there?” Eva asked confusedly.
“You cannot see, because of your mortal eyes.”
“I’m a witch,” she replied dryly.
Lilith shook her head. “I doubt that even Marcella would be able to see the color difference. It is very subtle.” Lilith pointed to a spot on the map. “There is a spot of blood here that is darker than the rest. No wonder he has been able to stay hidden for so long, no witch would ever be able to spot the difference. Even a vampire would have difficulty.”
“So where is that exactly?” asked Eva.
“We need to head in the direction of Manaus and then continue south. It seems like he is somewhere on the south side of the river.” Lilith continued staring at the map intently.
“Do you think we can find him by nightfall?” Eva asked.
“I would hope. I would prefer to find him soon,” Lilith said as she nodded to the rest of the fish. “Finish your meal, and then we will continue our search.”
When Vittoria awoke that evening, Lilith was already gone. She was disappointed the ancient hadn’t woken her to at least say goodbye, but she had pushed it aside and gone to see how Emma was doing. When she exited the bedroom she noticed the smell of fresh coffee, and hoped that Emma was holding up better than she was earlier.