Nora stops walking and gazes at a family. A mother, father, three young boys, and a small girl. All younger than 10 and the baby no older than three.
The family stands near an ice cream shop. The mother rummages through her purse looking for change to buy ice cream and the father struggles to calm the small girl. The girl squirms and kicks, screaming for ice cream. Finally, the man places her on her feet and hands her a small brown bear. Nora smiles when the girl stops fussing and clings tightly to her bear. But when the girl starts walking toward her, Nora’s smile fades.
“I thought you said that no one can see us.”
Robbie laughs. The girl gets inches away and stops. She looks at Robbie then Nora. For a long moment, the girl stares as if looking right through Nora, then she smiles widely.
“Is she smiling at me?” Nora asks.
“Yes, she is. Some of the younger ones are not affected by the cloak.”
“I wonder if she sees all of these scary looking people. Do you think she gets scared?” Nora asks.
“These are one of many beings we call gifted. These are what you wanted to see, the humans call them vampires. Not the horror you read about, but still vampires,” Robbie answers.
Nora slowly backs away from the girl.
“They look so normal,” Nora says softly.
“Look again, you are not truly seeing them.”
Nora closes her eyes when she opens them, she jumps back. She backs away until she is close to Robbie. The girl’s creamy tan face is now covered with dark veins and almost transparent. Her veins pulse as if trying to bust through her thin skin. Her small eyes are deep and yellow, her lips thin and almost black, and her tiny black teeth are razor sharp. The girl sees Nora’s fear, and she too gets frightened. She hisses at Nora and races to her father.
“How do they hide that?” Nora asks.
“It’s not easy and not all of them can. Nora, what you see in this city is not even half of the beings in this world. They have no supernatural powers. They only look and live differently. Most of them only wanting to live in peace and all are hunted by humans for being different. Come on. I want to show you something else,” Robbie says, taking Nora’s hand and vanishing.
A huge bonfire blazes in a small camping area. A large group of people gather around an elderly woman. They cheer and scream as the woman makes her way to a tall stack of wood.
“What are they yelling about?” Nora asks.
“Let’s get closer,” Robbie says, pulling Nora by her hand.
Nora’s eyes grow wide with fear when she sees two teenaged girls tied to large wooden post in the center of the pile of wood. Two men drench them with gasoline. The girls sob and cry out for help.
“These girls have been found guilty of witchcraft and murder by this church’s council. As the leader of this council and backed by my fellow councilman, I have sentenced them to death—by fire. Do I have your support my brothers and sisters?” the old woman yells.
The crowd cheers. All but one woman.
“Where is your proof that my daughter has killed anyone?” the sobbing woman yells racing toward the old woman in an angry rage.
Two large men grab the woman and hold her still.
“Dear Meredith. I am sorry, but I witnessed the brutal attack on this young boy,” the old woman says, pointing at the lifeless body of a young boy no older than 13 years of age.
“You lie, you old bitch!” The woman yells trying to break free from the men that hold her.
“No! We killed no one! She did it,” the girls scream.
“Do not listen to these demons. They will say anything to stop the punishment for their crimes. I know how powerful they are. They must be stopped. I have also fallen victim to their demonic rage,” the woman says, revealing a hideous burn on her upper back and neck. “They did this to me with only their minds. They did this to me when I tried to stop them from killing this innocent child.”
“Robbie! You can’t let this happen,” Nora whispers.
“Nora, just watch.”
Nora shakes her head. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. When she opens her eyes, her face wrinkles, and her anger grows heavy, almost too heavy for her to hold on. The pale skinned, sweet old lady the people trusted, is a demon. She has sharp nails and horns like a bull. Her skin is black as tar, her sharp teeth are white as snow, and eyes blue as the sky. She is more frightening than anything Nora has ever seen. The louder the girls sob the more impatient Nora becomes.
“Robbie, who killed that boy?”
“She did.”
“Why did you bring me here to watch these innocent kids die?” Nora says in a bitter tone.
“I did not bring you here to watch those girls die. I brought you here to see how these townspeople die,” he says.
“What? No!”
The woman looks at the darkened trees and smiles. She lifts her hands and roars.
“Now let us begin,” she yells.
The girls’ cries stop and their eyes turn red. They break from their ropes and with an unseen speed they slaughter every one of the townspeople. As the bodies drop, Nora’s heart races with fury.
“Robbie, stop this!” she yells.
Robbie grabs her arms to prevent her from racing to the aid of the people.
“Nora, watch!”
When there is no more life among the group, the girls meet the woman in the center of the pile of bodies. Bright flashes of Light quickly races out of the darkness, each claiming a body. One by one each of the dead stand to their feet and leave as if nothing had ever happened.
“What the hell is going on? What are those things?” Nora whispers as she is taken by shock.
“Those are Light. Some of the most powerful beings. You read about them. They are some of the beings that humans call demons—a name that suits them well. Many have taken other forms and have many other names. Some of the most powerful, Dumont has claimed—they live under his orders to find and kill us. This is what they are now doing to get to us. What I showed you here is only an image. This happened yesterday. They are sending an army after us and using the innocent to build that army,” Robbie answers.
He grabs Nora’s hand and they disappear.
Nora sits on the couch.
“Nora, this is why we cannot have a normal life. We can’t fight all of it. We have to pick our battles carefully. I showed you those particular beings so that you would have a better understanding of why it’s important to look deeply at all situations, at every being. Not all things are what they seem.”
“Do you know how many types of beings are out there?” Nora asks.
Robbie shrugs his shoulders.
“I don’t know. You know what Light are. So let me tell you about the Shadows. Shadows were created by Dumont—an ex-warrior leader of Boligon. He craves the power you have, the power we will have. He will never stop until we are dead. You know—the whole villain story.
“Nora, you will change fast and have knowledge and understanding of things with no explanation of how you know. In a few days, you will see, hear, smell, think, and feel different. You will feel more of the power you were born with and learn to use them.”
As Robbie talks, his words empower Nora. Although it is a story barely believable, she grins and fidgets with excitement.
“The world Szion come from is called Boligon. One of the many planets created by three immortal gods, Desmond (god of Life), Losrath (god of Destiny), and Tromtorrio (god of Prophecy). Although they are three, their minds work as one,” Robbie says.
“Wow! That puts a hole in what many people believe. So, heaven and hell, and all that Bible talks is just crap?”
“No, both are very real. But it doesn’t matter what people think. In their eyes, their way is the only true way. Some hide behind their religious ways, becoming some of the most violent and judgmental people.
“Stories of heaven and hell have altered the way people have lived for centuries. Throughout the years, people have live
d their lives the way they believed their god would want them to, fearing the outcome if they don’t. Although every religion is different, all beliefs are based on a written word that has no real beginning and changes every so often so there is no end—just as the gods intended. People need to fear, love and believe that there is a higher purpose. Truth be told, people look for a reason to be afraid, it is the only way to keep order. People's belief in a higher power gives them hope and the strength to keep fighting. It gives them security when life shows no mercy. The gods don’t care who or what is being worshiped, that is not their concern. What matters is that people know there is more to life than just living. It is sad to know how many use religion to do awful things and truly feel there is no wrong in it.”
Robbie pauses and waits for questions. After a few seconds he continues.
“Now, back to who we are. Most Szion warriors are chosen by the gods, they are given birth by Szion parents within the Szion world. Szion that choose to have a normal life, do so, in that world. They have jobs and families. They are normal in every way. But a warrior child trains their whole life to be a Vilmo protector. Never knowing who their Vilmo will be until they are teens. After meeting the Vilmo, they are chosen to be with, if there is no connection between the two, they move on. Some stay here on earth to do what they were created for, to protect mankind—sometimes finding love on their own and some never find love. Others return home.
“Warriors almost never have Szion children. Only certain warriors are given the privilege of having a Szion child of their own. Each case is different. Before I was born, my father fell in love with a human. She, like many other human women died during labor, unfortunately, so did the child. My father begged for the gods to return the only child he would ever have. You see if a warrior is given a child it will only be one. For reasons unknown that is all that a warrior has ever been able to create. If a warrior is given a Szion born child to share the earth with, that warrior sacrifices a part of his soul for that child to live.”
“So, life is truly a blessing for you, isn’t it?”
Robbie smiles and nods.
“So your dad had to go make a baby with a strange woman? That must have been awkward for him.”
Robbie laughs.
“No, just as there are surrogate mothers for earth, there are surrogates in Boligon. Some women offer their bodies to produce a Szion child for special circumstances. A Szion woman is chosen by the warrior. They have no physical contact, but with a blessing from each god, the egg from my father’s dead wife, along with part of the soul of the warrior, the child is created. The child is not given the same life as a normal Szion child, that child lives on earth. His fate to become a warrior is decided by him and his parent.”
“It must suck not being able to choose who you spend your life with,” Nora says.
“No. Szion are not bound to anyone unless they can love that person for life. I was never going to be assigned. Boligon life was not an option for me, nor are the rules, except for one. When I die I belong to Boligon. I’ve lived as a human, my father gave me a real life. Well—kind of. The day you left I told my father I could not and would not live without you. He tried to keep me away from the warrior life, but he knew where my heart was. He promised to make me a warrior and a better man for you if I promised to at least try the things he never got to do as a young man.
“For five years, not only did I train hard, but I also went to school and saw the world, but all of that seemed pointless without you. I knew then as I know now that we were meant to be, Nora. I didn’t get selected for you by the gods. We chose each other.”
“I am so sorry. Over the years, I called you so many names. I—I was so hurt. I thought …”
“You thought I’d given up on us. How would you know any different? At times, I wished you could hear me when I spoke to you before going to bed. No contact with you made me fight harder and become stronger. I knew we would be together again—I just never thought we would have to be pushed together in these harsh circumstances.”
Nora smiles.
“I use to pretend to talk to you also,” she says softly.
Robbie smiles.
“So, maybe you did hear me.”
Nora blushes.
“So what are Szion? Angels?”
“Angel, is a word given by humans to earth protectors, warriors of their god. So, I guess that would be correct, but with many alterations to their beliefs.” Robbie answers.
“Robbie, you gave up everything for me. You could have had a perfect life. You could have chosen a nice Vilmo girl and not have to worry about all of … whatever is about to happen to me,” Nora says sadly.
“Nora, my heart decided who I loved long ago. I will always choose you over anything else in this world. There is no life without you in it. Not for me, but I don’t think you are seeing the whole picture. You’re not seeing what I am telling you. Although not chosen by the gods, there is a Vilmo meant for me,” Robbie says, kissing Nora’s hand, making her blush again.
“Wait! Robbie, am I a Vilmo? Oh, my god, you're my Szion!”
Robbie nods.
“So my dad is Szion?” she asks.
Robbie nods.
“So is uncle Rod,” he answers.
“Is that why they look so young? Are Szion immortal?”
“No, in their world, time is different, but death still comes in many ways, just as it does here. On Boligon aging stops at 21 human years, on earth we stop aging after 30 human years. We will never die from old age, but we can still be killed. As a Vilmo, after the bond with your Szion, you will also stop aging at the age of thirty.
“So, I won’t get old. Will I get powers like you?” Nora asks excitedly.
“Not exactly like mine, but yes. Now that you know who we are I’m afraid I have to get to the part that will be hardest for you.”
Robbie takes a deep breath and contemplates the best way to approach the next part of the conversation.
“Robbie, I’m ready. Go ahead.”
“As I mentioned before a Szion are only able to have one child. Well, that was how it was, until twenty-one years ago,” Robbie says.
When he stops talking Nora grows slightly impatient. The story pulls her in like a good thriller. She tenses with anticipation as his lips start to move.
“Nora, your mother and father gave birth to twins.”
Nora’s heart tightens, she stands to her feet and begins to pace back and forth on the living room floor as Robbie continues.
“Two weeks after you and your sister’s birth, many Lights attacked your family’s home. Your parents fought, killing every Light that entered their home. They were so preoccupied they hadn’t realized that the Light were only a distraction for the true monster that was there to destroy you and your sister, the Shadows. Dumont. By the time your dad arrived at your room the Shadow exited out of the window, and—only you survived.”
Nora’s face turns pale and she begins to feel sick to her stomach.
“Where is my mother? Do you know her name? Why did she leave? Is she dead?”
The questions race out of her mouth, tears flow down her cheeks, anxiety gets the best of her and her legs give out. Suddenly she feels very faint. Before she hit the floor, she is in Robbie’s arms, and he lays her on the couch. Nora rubs her head and sits up.
“I’m fine. I got a little worked up. I forgot how fast the book says Szion can move.”
Robbie smiles and sits beside her.
“Your mother’s name is Mia Langly. She left to keep you safe. I don’t know anything more, I was only told what we needed to know to find her. All I know is that my father and yours said Dumont was behind it all.”
Nora tries hard but can’t seem to keep the tears from flowing. They sit in silence a moment.
“I know it seems that we have all betrayed you in some way by not telling you all of this. Our lives are not the average Szion and Vilmo lives, Nora. No one knew how to tell you the truth. It would have don
e no good to tell you when you would spend your whole life worrying.
“Each of us has only wanted to protect you. You asked me why I choose this life instead of another. My answer is the answer your parents, my father, and uncle Rod would give. We choose to fight for you because we’d rather die than be without you—I would rather die than be without you. There is something bad coming. Dumont has been after you since you were born. You are not just a Vilmo. You are a very powerful Vilmo that he wants dead.
“Soon your body will start reacting. You will be able to sense evil from miles away. You will not have to concentrate to see beings as they truly are. Strong energies will put odd feelings in your stomach, but will ease as you get close to them. You will know the difference between Light, human, Szion, and even Shadow. You will have to let your body guide you,” Robbie says, wiping her tears.
Somehow it all made sense. Nora now understands why she was imprisoned in the house, why her father was so protective, and why she is motherless. She cries for a few more moments while wrapped in Robbie’s arms.
“I’m done with being upset all the time. How can we stop Dumont? What can I do?” she asks.
Robbie looks at her and smiles.
“That’s my girl,” he says.
He slides a small rectangular box out from under the sofa and hands it to her.
“A birthday gift from your mother.”
Whatever is in this box couldn’t possibly surprise me as much as everything else has in the last two days, Nora thinks, taking a deep breath before opening the box. A tiny, golden, metal toothpick-like object rest upon a black silk cloth. Not just any piece of metal, an enchanting little thing. It covers Nora with comfort. Although it is barely the size of her finger, she can feel its power radiate through her veins.
“What is it?” she asks.
“This is what we call a golden spike. Yes, it looks much like a toothpick, but an incredible power lies within it. Do you remember reading about them?” Robbie asks.
“Yes. A golden spike is the only thing that can kill a Light, but I assumed it would look more like its name. And, um—much bigger.”
Vilmo's Wrath: Deglon Blood Page 6