by K A HAMBLY
The Rise of the New Bloods:
From Dark Beginnings
K A HAMBLY
Copyright Notice
The Rise of the New Bloods
Is copyrighted 2012 © by K A Hambly
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage retrieval) without permission in writing from the author and publisher.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons living or dead (unless explicitly noted) is merely coincidental.
ISBN 978-1-291-15695-9
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Craig, Paige and Danny.
Without friends like these and their support, this book would not have been possible.
Ceri, Kellie, Mick, Julie, Fi, Barbara, Dena, Leanne, Sonia.
CHAPTER ONE
I took a deep breath and sighed. It was not as if I needed to breathe, but it just seemed natural to do it anyway. After all, I was descended from the humans; maybe, just maybe there was still a trace of humanity left in me somewhere.
I laughed to myself, as I knew it was just wishful- thinking on my part. I looked out of the small window of my wooden cabin. The days were long, but the nights were tedious and lonely.
I had somehow become used to my mundane existence, but lately there was a longing in me for change. After the morning, I had, out hunting for food with father it looked like change was swiftly on the horizon.
Father had been unusually quiet all day.
I sensed something was preying on his mind. Briefly, I wondered, could this have been what we had been preparing for all these years.
‘Jyrki...Jyrki, where the hell are you?’
I heard my friend, William, hollering at me from below. I snapped out of my self-pity and looked down from the window.
‘Didn't you hear the horn? Amroath has ordered everyone to tear down their quarters,’ he yelled
I had not.
I was deep in thought, almost in an hypnotic state.
For a few moments, his words did not seem to sink in. Until I gazed up and saw the rest of the clan leaving their homes. I shot up from the floor and grabbed my jacket that was hanging by a nail on the door, almost tearing it in the process, and climbed down the ladder.
It was becoming dark, so I reached for the lantern on the branch and skipped the last few steps.
The snow was thick on the ground.
Which was not unusual for Finland this time of year. I waited nervously in the falling snow as the events unfolded before me, looking on in horror, at the destruction of what was once my home.
The Cabins were being abandoned at such speed, and torn down with bare hands to destroy all evidence of our existence. The protection of the grand Fir trees, that encircled us, held us together no more.
I knew there was much worse to come.
‘Jyrki! Wait there a moment; I need to speak with you.’ I heard a familiar voice from behind me.
I swerved around and held the lantern up. It was Draven, my brother, running towards me from the lake.
‘Looks like our old man has come to his senses, and we're getting the hell out of here,’ I said quite sternly.
I was half hoping the latter were true.
Two hundred years on these Aaland Islands, and people were now getting too close for comfort.
Draven placed a firm hand on my shoulder and at once, I sensed something was very wrong.
‘What's wrong with you?’ I said, feeling quite defensive. ‘I haven’t seen you for days, where have you been?’
He looked at me with a worried expression on his face.
‘There’s something I’ve been meaning to give you for safekeeping.’
For a moment I hesitated to say anything, as I could sense there was a lot more going on with him than he would let on to me.
His long black hair blew in a gust of wind; revealing a gash to his forehead which he tried to conceal from me.
‘How did that happen to your head? Just tell me what is going on with you, please?’
He shook his head, refusing to answer my question. I noticed a few specks of snow nestled onto his black cloak and a coldness in the air I hadn’t felt for ages.
‘There’s something darker coming for us.’
His words sent a chill through me.
Subconsciously I knew there was great danger ahead of us; I just did not want to admit it to myself.
Dusk settled behind him, and the silvery light of the full moon changed the hue of the snow to a subtler blue.
He reached inside his cloak and pulled out Father’s khopesh sword.
‘This serpent’s sword is yours now; you must take care of it.’
I smiled half-heartedly, waiting for him to say it was a joke. His expression didn't falter under the orange glow. Now I knew I had real cause for concern, as the sword had never left Draven's side since Father had given it to him.
‘Take it, it’s yours.’
He held the bronzed handle of a coiled serpent toward me, and waited for me to take it.
‘I've a bad feeling that things are going to get crazy around here soon, and as you know I've won a few wars in my time with this, but now it needs to be with the Chosen One.’
‘Stop talking like that, we don't know if it's the prophecy yet.’
Hastily, I took the sword from his hands and placed it in my backpack. They were the only means of weapons we ever fought with, despite our little knowledge, that the outside world had long since changed. It was now the tail end of the twentieth century, and I was feeling anxious about the sudden turn of events that could propel us into a whole new world.
‘Over here, now!’
It was Amroath, our Father, shouting to us from across the compound. We both sharply turned our heads at the sense of immediacy in his voice. I drew another breath in anticipation of what news he had to share.
Words didn't have to manifest from anyone's lips. It was obvious from the dark mood what was about to take place.
I brushed my long black hair away from my face and stood in front of father, Draven joined the rest of the clan who were already prepping their weapons. They all turned to look at me. I somehow felt a sense of responsibility for their lives.
‘It's time son.’ I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder.
I turned to look at Father whose ashen face must've aged a few years in those split seconds. He didn't have to say anything else, I knew what he meant.
‘It's the prophecy isn't it?’
Father took my hand and placed an Ankh into my palm. I clenched it tightly. Part of me couldn't bear to look at it because I knew by father handing me the one thing that kept us all shielded from the sun, he was placing their lives in mortal danger.
Mardok, a prophet in Ancient Egypt had given him the Ankh. He had warned him that when the day came to hand over the Ankh to the chosen one, all his protection would be lost. It was written in the prophecy, he said.
‘There was word less than an hour ago, the Others have detected us. You must leave now! You know what you are meant to do; we have been over this for many years.’
His voice was strangely calm for someone who was about to face the unknown.
‘So I leave you all here to perish at the hands of these... things?’ I raged. ‘Not likely, I'm staying here to fight with you.’
Amroath was becoming rather annoyed with me.
‘Look at me,’ he said as he grabbed the sleeve of my jacket.
I stood before him and looked into his eyes.
There was no bitterness or
remorse for all the things he had done. Not even a touch of regret for what he was. I was in awe of him, and proud to have him as my Father. He bent his head slightly, allowing some silvery strands of hair to fall into his face. He clenched me tightly and gave me the last piece of advice I would ever receive.
‘Even immortals meet their match one day. Nothing is forever. We were sworn to protect the Ankh and now the time has come to do just that...I trust in you Jyrki, just as the ancients did all those years ago.’
Knowing better than to argue with my Father, I held my peace.
‘I guess you didn't become the New Blood elder for your people skills?’ I managed a wry laugh.
‘I hardly think we could be classed as people, do you?’ he smiled.
‘Amroath!’ William yelled. ‘They’re getting closer. My guess is they’ll be here at dawn.’
It was arctic cold, and the sky was grey and heavy with blizzards. I placed the Ankh around my neck and mentally prepared myself for the task ahead.
‘Jyrki, we'll see each other again, I'm sure.’
Draven was acting as a brother would, but I could tell he was putting on a brave face just for me. It had always been the same way since we were children. I stood watching the clan as they handed out swords and spears to each other. Their silence was ripping me apart inside. Draven stooped down and gave me a farewell hug.
I knew then that this was it.
I gripped him tightly.
‘I will make you proud, I promise.’
‘I know you will, just stay safe until this battle is all over, okay.’
‘I will. I'm going to miss you,’ I wept.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and glanced up at Father who stood beside us gazing affectionately at his two sons for what would be the last time.
‘There's not a lot of time, William can hear them approaching. Now Jyrki, you must do as I have asked you, and keep the Ankh safe from the humans, and hopefully one day it will save us wherever we may be.’
‘I give you my word,’ I whispered.
I gave father a farewell hug, and then shouldered my holdall.
Just moments ago, I was secretly hoping for change now it was here I wasn't sure if it was what I really wanted. For a moment, I stood and peered around at the vastness of the forest, a place I had called home for so long. Now, instead of the exquisite beauty of the lakes and trees, all I saw were the dark shadows of our past coming back to haunt us.
As I turned to look at Father one last time, I saw he had tears in his eyes. He wiped them away with his thick leathery hand and whispered for me to go.
Draven met my gaze and nodded encouragingly.
‘You'll realise in time what that thing can do,’ I heard Father shout, but I was halfway through the forest by now. I paused amongst the giant firs for a brief moment and inhaled, snow falling from the high branches as my previous life now fell behind me.
My senses became heightened, as I left the safe zone.
‘No time for snacks,’ I thought to myself, as I saw a hare scurry into its burrow.
I picked up speed once I reached the mountain.
The little light reflecting from the snow helped steer my way to the highest peak. I found a place to sit on the rocky edge where I tried to gather my thoughts for a while; still I had no idea where I was going all I knew was that I had to get away from Finland without anyone asking too many questions. Yet I was torn between running back down there to help my family, but Father would not have been pleased.
Our fates were worlds apart right now.
It felt like another lifetime just waiting for the final battle to burn out. I knew we did not stand a chance against The Others. From what father had told me, they were far too superior to our old-fashioned ways.
My mood was sombre and I was craving blood. I could not find the strength within me to move, so I chose to endure my hunger for a while longer.
The night time passed by as slowly as it ever did, but just as the last glimmer of hope diminished there was a break in the clouds and the sun began to peek through. It was a new dawn and something within me told me it was all over.
It had to be.
The Others would only fight at daybreak as they knew the clan would be at their most vulnerable. I checked under my shirt, to make sure the Ankh was still there.
‘All for this?’ I whispered as I held the silver Amulet in my ice-cold hands.
I felt so much hatred towards it. It was the reason why we ended up in this mess in the first place.
As I got up to leave, I sensed a small squirrel behind the rock I was sitting on. If I was quick enough I should be able to catch him.
With a quick sudden movement, I leapt behind the rock, catching the creature by its tail; I sank my fangs into its neck. The food was enough to satisfy me until I could find something with a little more blood.
Feeling a little more energised than earlier, I made the decision of walking back to the compound. I knew I should not go back to the forest but I felt I needed to say my goodbyes before the sun was at its peak.
I had minutes to spare.
Dreading what I would see.
I made my way down from the mountain along the uneven path, relying on my natural navigational skills to find my way back. Most of the compound was over shadowed by the mass of trees, that was heavily laden with snow.
With any luck, if someone were alive they would be safe for a while, I hoped. The gentle twittering of a song thrush brought a welcome relief to my ears.
I braced myself behind the trunk of the tree, as I looked for traces of the enemy.
Nothing.
They must've long gone by now I would've thought, in search of me.
I glanced around once more to be certain before trekking slowly down the embankment. No sooner had I reached the bottom, I could smell the bloodshed that engulfed my lungs like smoke.
I keeled over and retched.
As my head brushed against the snow, my nostrils flared as I opened my eyes to see their blood splattered in the pure crestfallen snow. Consumed with grief, I somehow forced myself off the ground and walked towards the carnage. My hands were now shaking as I desperately removed the bodies one by one from the pile in hope to find someone alive.
The image before me pained my heart deeply. I stopped for a moment to take it all in, but the sight of William’s lifeless body stretched out on the snow before me was all too much.
My body went limp and I sank to the floor in despair.
‘Why?’ I screamed. ‘This wasn’t meant to happen!’
I was aware of my voice echoing throughout the compound. I cupped my hands over my face and sat rocking back and forth, when I came to realise the stinging sensation of the cold on my fingers was slowly easing away by the warmth of the sun.
‘Oh no, please no,’ I whispered.
As I removed my hands from my face, I looked up towards the sky and saw the sun was almost at its zenith.
I quickly got to my feet and began searching for Father and Draven, but time was not on my side. As I was about to bend down to pick up William, I saw at the corner of my eye the sun rays hovering over the bodies, and stood watching in horror as one by one they turned to dust.
For it was in that very moment, I knew I was the last Vampire.
CHAPTER TWO
I had to get away as quickly as possible. The compound offered me no protection now. Our agreement with the ancient prophet to keep our identity secret would be broken in the instant we showed ourselves to the humans. How this had happened, I do not know. My suspicion was it had something to do with Draven, as he was always leaving the compound at night-time. As I sat here looking at their ashes blowing in among the dusting of snow I had to accept the fact I'd probably never know the reason.
The snow fell again gently caressing my pale, grief-stricken face. It was time to leave. I picked myself up from the floor and wrapped my coat around me for comfort. Everything had happened so fast and unexpectedly that I don't think I fu
lly appreciated the magnitude of the task ahead. The last hour of my life was like a blur I cared not to think about now. I must find the strength in me somehow and do what Father had asked. It was the only way to keep their memory alive.
As I turned to walk away, I heard a snapping of a branch behind me.
‘The Others,’ I muttered to myself.
It was possible.
A slight rustle of the tree branches behind me struck me with fear. I dared not move and show them I was initiating a fight, instead, I tried to stay calm to avoid letting the vampire loose.
I didn't want to take any chances in case it was human. My eyes suddenly became alerted to the tree in front me.
The snow began falling off its branches by the quick, sharp movement of something behind it. This wasn't human, neither was it another vampire.
Then what in the hell was it.
Should I call out to it? I sensed it was not an animal of the woods, but it was an animal of some kind. I decided to hone in on my vampire instinct for assurance. As I inhaled the smell of their blood, I became acutely aware of their presence all around me, concealing themselves behind the trees. Were they playing tricks with me? Were they the ones who had killed my family? So many questions went through my head I began to feel disorientated and weak with hunger.
‘Who are you? What have you come here for?’ I called out.
There was no answer. I was becoming rather frustrated and angry. Then I suddenly realised my thoughts were being replaced by the answers they were giving.
‘We are the others,’ a male voice spoke with utmost authority.
‘What's happening?’ I yelled out. Startled by their presence in my mind I placed my hands on my head and frantically paced about in the snow. They were inside my head and I didn’t like it.
‘Show yourselves to me!’ I yelled.
The human-like voice remained calm. ‘No. Not right now.’
‘Why not? Why did you kill my family? Who sent you here?’ I seethed, casting a critical eye over the trees.
‘All in due time Jyrki, all in due time. I can tell you what you will need to know for now but the rest will soon follow in the most unexpected of places and people. Be aware though there are people searching for you and the Ankh and when you meet them you will know whether to trust them or not. Stay true to yourself and stay in hiding. You will know when the time is right to leave. We have to go now, but we'll be watching you.’