Vilmo's Wrath: Deglon Blood

by Lachesha W. B.

  Robbie is in the kitchen with two bowls of strawberry ice-cream.

  “Hey, I was just headed your way. I heard you tossing and turning and figured you could use this.”

  He smiles, showing his deep dimples. They sit silently nibbling at the ice-cream.

  “Robbie, will you sleep with me? I mean, next to me. I’ve been having nightmares. I thought maybe if you could just lie with me until I fall asleep … I just thought that I may not be so afraid if you are next to me.”

  “Sure. Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? We used to sleep in the same bed when we were kids. It will be nice. Just like old times,” she says, unsure if she truly believed what was coming out of her mouth.

  Just the thought of him lying next to her made her warm with lustful thoughts.

  “Nora, we are no longer kids,” Robbie says, placing their bowls in the sink.

  Nora scrambles for words but finds none that wouldn’t make her sound stupid.

  “Do you want to talk about these nightmares?” Robbie asks as they climb into bed.

  She shakes her head.

  They lie down and she finds a warm spot on Robbie’s chest, letting the sound of his beating heart put her to sleep.

  “Get up you fool! Get up, you traitorous bastard! Get up and face me! No? Fine! Say good night.”

  A dark-haired woman stands firm in front of a man. With a forceful swipe of her blade, the man’s head falls to the ground and his body goes limp. She wipes the splattered blood from her face and smiles wide as she licks her bloody hand. The loud cries of a woman and a young man that runs to his side makes her laugh. She tosses the woman aside and kicks the dead man’s body before walking off into the blackness of the night. Just as she is set to head home for the night, pain paralyzes her.

  “Ahhhhh!” the cruel woman clenches her stomach and drops to her knees. Blood pours out of her mouth and she grows weaker with each passing second.

  “Did you honestly think that I wouldn’t find you?” another woman says standing over her.

  “You know killing me means your own death.”

  “Then we will die together,” the stranger says.

  Cold travels through their bodies until they are no longer able to move.

  Nora almost jumps out of her skin at the sound of her own howl. She awoke to Robbie at her side with a worried look in his eyes.

  “You’re safe, Nora! You're safe.”

  He holds her as she fights for air. Once her consciousness floods back, she sits against the headboard of the bed.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah, just a bad dream,” she says, running her hands through her hair, trying to will her heartbeat to slow down.

  “Some dream. Maybe it’s time you tell me about these dreams.”

  “Okay, but later,” she says.

  Robbie nods.

  “Sorry, I woke you.”

  “I've been up for hours, just watching you sleep. You scared me quite a few times,” he says.

  “Sorry about that. Was I the reason you didn’t sleep?”

  “No. I slept fine, and so did you until a few hours ago.”

  Robbie kisses her, climbs out of bed, and heads to the kitchen.

  “I’ll be done with brunch in a few minutes. You get cleaned up, then you can tell me all about that dream of yours,” he calls from the next room.

  “Brunch?”

  Nora glances at the clock wondering why he would make brunch in the middle of the night. It’s 12:30 p.m. and the sun is bright.

  “What do you know? I slept through the night. I need to keep him around,” she says softly, as she walks into the bathroom.

  “I would like that very much,” Robbie says, startling her.

  She turns and finds him standing in the doorway of the bathroom, smiling.

  “You shouldn’t sneak up on people,” she says playfully hitting him with a bath towel.

  “I’m sorry,” he says, wrapping his arms around her waist.

  “I love you, Nora Langly. I meant what I wrote in that letter when you and your father moved away.”

  Nora’s throat tightens, and she freezes. She waited so long to hear him say that. She just never thought it would come.

  “Robbie.”

  He kisses her cheek.

  “Although it’s been five years, my love for you has only increased. I know I hurt you, but can you look at me and tell me you don’t love me?”

  Nora shakes her head.

  “I’ll always love you,” she whispers.

  Robbie smiles.

  “I want to keep my promise. If you'll have me, I want to make you mine for the rest of our lives.”

  Nora pulls away.

  “Was that a proposal?”

  Robbie laughs.

  “Yeah, it may not have been a very good one, but it still deserves an answer. Take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”

  He leaves her standing alone in the bathroom. She’s known since she was sixteen that if he ever asked, she was his, and no amount of time would change her mind. Nora quickly showered, slipped on her bathrobe and joined Robbie in the kitchen.

  After brunch, Robbie and Nora sit on the sofa.

  “Nora, things will change for you today. This will be explained along with many other things. The hardest thing you will come to deal with is you. When your change is complete the whole world will look different, even you,” he says.

  As sweet as his voice sounds, his words registers an alarm in Nora’s spine. He takes her hand and leads her back to the bathroom.

  “Take a moment, look at yourself. If you accept me this will be the last time you see this Nora Langley.”

  Nora giggles.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  Robbie shakes his head and leaves. Nora does just what he asked. She drops her bathrobe to her feet and repeats his words “the hardest thing that you will come to deal with is you.” Nora smiles as she runs her hands down her smooth ABS.

  “I am far from perfect, but definitely hot, she says. She turns catching every angle of her naked body in the mirror. “Okay, so my skin, needs a tan and is far from flawless, but still nice,” she says.

  She traces every part of her with her eyes. Starting with her heart-shaped face. She lifts her long, wavy, black hair, noticing how the color brings out the softness in her honey–colored eyes. She’s a petite woman, her 5’5” frame is not toned with muscles but is perfectly curved.

  “I’m no super model, but I can definitely turn heads. So why would I want to say goodbye to this?” She says to herself.

  Nora hangs up her bathrobe and slips into her pink silk robe that hangs on a hook next to the shower and then rejoins Robbie.

  “Okay, let’s hear it,” Nora says.

  Robbie smiles and pats the seat next to him. A strange sensation makes Nora uncomfortable. She squirms for comfort. Robbie’s body heat tugs at her insides. She finds it hard to sit next to him without heating up with sexual feelings. She tries to ignore the heat rising from her inner thighs so that she doesn’t jump into his lap. Inch by inch, she scoots away from him. Yet, even from a distance her emotions are uncontrollable. The more control she fights for, the more out of control her body gets.

  Robbie stares at her with a small smile on his face. She keeps her eyes low as she fidgets with her fingers while Robbie talks about her big change. Nora should be listening, but she can’t focus on what he’s saying. Is he doing this? No, it’s just me. Nora thinks. The whole time she is fighting with her raging hormones, she hadn’t even noticed Robbie calling her name.

  “Nora! You okay?”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry. I …”

  “Happy birthday, lovely,” he says softly.

  “Thank you,” she replies, with her eyes to the floor.

  Robbie laughs and slides closer to her. Nora’s blood boils and her hands start to shake. Noticing her uncontrollable shaking hands, Robbie gently grabs them.

  “I have something for y
ou.”

  Frozen, Nora stares down at his hand on hers. Afraid that if she were to speak her words would come out backward or in another language not even she would understand. She smiles, avoiding his eyes.

  “Why are you so nervous, Nora?”

  “I’m not. I’m just …”

  “It’s Okay. Here,” he says, handing her a small golden box.

  Just holding the box sends her already shaking hands into super speed, and she drops the box. Before it hits the floor, it is in Robbie’s hand. That moment of amazement brings her erotic obsession for his touch to a sudden halt. Although she was unsure before, without a doubt she knows there is something different about him. Curiosity lingers in her stare as she looks him over. She wants to see more. She wants to see it all. Her rush of inquisitiveness is quickly interrupted by Robbie lifting her chin so that he can see her eyes.

  “Nora, open it.”

  Nora smiles, trying to hide her fear.

  “I can’t.”

  “Fine, I’ll do it for you.”

  He opens the box and hands it back to her. She gasps almost choking on her saliva.

  “Robbie! I don’t need … man this is beautiful.”

  The beautiful gold, diamond ring glows with perfection. Too perfect for her to place on her finger. Robbie takes the ring out of the box. He places the box on the coffee table and slides the ring on her right-hand finger. His touch once again compels her to gaze into his eyes. The miraculous way he is able to get her to look at him is almost frightening.

  “This is a promise ring, Nora. My promise to love you as I always have for as long as I live and longer.”

  His soft voice and gentle words caress every part of Nora’s body.

  “Thank you,” she says, still lost in his gaze.

  Nora smiles as Robbie touches her face.

  “Yes, your answer is yes,” she says.

  “What? Yes, really?” he asks excitedly.

  She nods.

  “How can I say no to becoming the wife of the only man I will ever love,” she says softly.

  He lifts her from her seat and kisses her. It was no ordinary kiss, this kiss held more passion than a hundred kisses he had given her before. The candles dim, and her body numbs as they lift into the air and back down to the floor. When Nora is safely on her feet, Robbie slowly pulls away from the kiss.

  “What was that? Nora whispers.

  “Our bond. Nora, I know I was born to love you. I have loved you from the day we met.”

  Nora’s hormones are once again out of control. She needs him. Every part of him. She wraps her arms around him and hugs him tightly. He gently pulls back from their hug and smiles.

  “Now it’s time we have our talk,” Robbie says, sitting her on the sofa.

  Slightly disappointed, she says nothing. She laces her fingers together and struggles to calm herself. Robbie brushes her face with the back of his hand.

  “It’s okay. We have time for the fun stuff,” he says with a wink.

  Instantly she is calm and her hormones, no longer run wild.

  “How do you do that? Are you some sort of wizard or something? She asks.

  Robbie smiles.

  “No, not a wizard, but the or something is right.”

  Nora smiles skeptically.

  “Robbie, why now? We have known each other all our lives and you never once told me about your special abilities. Why didn’t you feel comfortable enough to share this part of you with me?

  “I just couldn’t, but from now, on more secrets.”

  Nora glares at him. He takes her hand and begins their long, overdue talk.

  “Nora, this may be one of the hardest times in your life and I am sorry we don’t have more time for you to accept it. There is a lot we have to learn.” Robbie says, gently kissing her hands.

  Nora thinks the kiss will send her into a sex-crazed mess, but she is wrong. She gives a slight smile and touches his face.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you when I stopped responding to your letters. I will explain why, but in order for you to understand my explanation, you’ll need to understand the reasons for the items in that box your father gave you,” he says.

  Nora had forgotten all about it. Robbie leaves the room and returns with the box, setting it between the two of them. Nora hesitantly roots through the box, pulling out its contents.

  One very old looking leather book, a small black book, and a small black box with a note attached to it.

  “‘Nora, happy birthday, sweetheart. I hope that you like your gifts. Remember that I am always with you. Please keep the small book close to you. It will help you in your time of need. Love always, Dad.’

  Nora opens the small box. Love covers her heart at the sight of a gold locket. (With love from dad) is engraved on the front. The inside holds a small picture of Noah and a woman. Nora looks at Robbie in shock.

  “Is this—?”

  “Yes, that is your mother.”

  Nora holds the locket for several moments, not wanting to get that image out of her head. She can feel her father’s heart light up with happiness as she holds the locket.

  “Thank you, Daddy,” she says as she slides the necklace around her neck.

  “Your life is about to become one that is only told in stories. As unreal as it may seem, every bit of it is true,” Robbie says.

  Nora sets the large leather book in her lap, now genuinely intrigued. She opens the book and slowly thumbs through the pages. There are several handwritings on each page, each one as lovely as the next.

  “I’ve never seen writing like this. Whose writing is this? What is this?”

  “It’s the writing of the gods. This is our life,” Robbie answers.

  Nora begins to read aloud. Robbie listens in silence, waiting for any questions. After an hour of reading, Nora smiles.

  “What a great story,” she says.

  “Okay. I expected a more dramatic response. I know this is a lot to take in,” Robbie says.

  Nora smiles and leans back in her seat.

  “Okay, let me see if I got this. Lights, they are Szion that have gone bad by killing the Vilmo they were put on earth to protect from evil, such as demons, vampires, and whatever else is out there. Their bodies were killed, leaving only their souls. Szion are Vilmo and human protectors. Vilmo are half breeds made by Szion and Vilmo or humans. Is that right?”

  Robbie nods. Nora grins, so close to busting out in a laugh.

  “Come on, Robbie, do you really expect me to believe there is such thing as monsters and vampires?”

  The moment Robbie’s smile fades so does hers.

  “Yes, I do! I expect you to believe everything! It is the only way to keep you safe. A lot has changed since that book was written and there is more that is not written. Not all vampires and other beings are bad, and they are not our biggest concern. Nora, how can you defend yourself against something you don’t believe exists? You and I are the same as the ones you and humans call monsters! How can you not believe in the possibilities of this world with all the gifts I have already shown you I have? You were almost killed by demons, why would you not see that there is more than just us?”

  “What? No, we …”

  “We are different than humans! Don’t you think that a human would classify me as one of those monsters if they saw me like this?”

  Nora gasps and slides a few inches away when Robbie’s eyes turn white and his fangs drop from his gums.

  “I’m sorry, but we are all monsters. Each of us with a different purpose in this life,” he says. “Nora, look at me. Don’t just look at me, feel me.”

  Robbie softens his appearance. Slowly Nora gets closer to him and stares into his eyes a long moment. Her stomach tightens with overwhelming emotions and tears roll down her cheeks as she slowly comes to terms with what they are.

  “We are Vampires?”

  Robbie shakes his head.

  “I want to take you somewhere. Take my hand,” Robbie says, reaching for her han
d.

  In the depths of a busy city. People rush about their everyday lives. Robbie and Nora stand in the center of town on the sidewalk. Nora smiles widely.

  “I’ve never seen so many people. Look at them, they all seem so happy and—normal,” she says.

  Robbie smiles and takes her hand.

  “Yes, most of them are happy and others just trying to live the best they can. This is one city that the current chaos has very little effect on. The only time a city of this size is affected by the hidden reality is when Szion fail to do what they were meant to do. Nora, what we see and feel is very different from what a human sees and feels. When a human sees a demon, they simply see a human. We see the demon that they are.” Robbie explains as they slowly walk around.

  Nora admires everything from the vendors on street corners to petty thieves stealing food. Everything and everyone are equally intriguing to her.

  “I want this,” she whispers.

  Robbie pulls her close to him.

  “Nora, look at me. Close your eyes. Feel and see with your heart.”

  Nora does as she is told. Robbie feels her energy increase and smiles.

  “Good. Now open your eyes, do not panic. They won’t hurt you, they can’t even see us,” Robbie says, turning her back toward the bustling people.

  Nora gasps and tightens her fist as fear replaces her excitement. Red eyes, horns, gray skin, and many other types of beings rush around the city along the side of humans as if they are human themselves.

  “They are real!”

  “Yes, this is what hides in the back of every mind, never actually being seen. What you see is some of this world's life. There are beings that not even I have seen. The point is, like any race there are good, bad and then there is worse. It is not always easy to determine the good from the bad, and that is why a Szion has to be careful,” Robbie says.