by K A HAMBLY
‘I have an idea, but I don’t know what good it’ll do.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
There was something about my reflection, staring back at me from the glass in the sound engineering room that just did not look like me anymore. Maybe I had come to realise what I was seeing was an empty shell, a soulless living creature that held no worth.
Day to day I would consistently fight against who I really am and who I wanted to be, but the most difficult, was fighting against what I didn’t want the world to see; especially to those who mattered.
Tonight, being the exception of course. My fears about April knowing what I am were realised but despite the shame, I was relieved about her reaction.
We did not know how long we had until Jimmy would find us, so we needed to find out as much as we could while we had a chance. We really could have used Draven right now for more details on Ryder, as he was still a mystery to us, but there was nothing to do but wait and hope April would find something online.
I could hear her tapping on the keys from the other room, so I got up to join them in the reception area. I stood by the doorway, and April’s eyes met mine. She smiled and patted the seat of the brown leather couch for me to join her.
‘I've gone over every file I have on the reign of Ramesses, but there's nothing, not even a mention of the vampires or the Blood War, Jyrki,’ she said, peering over the black rim of her glasses:‘What about the last piece of the prophecy, the one Jimmy had me wanting to decipher?’
‘No! That's another thing I forgot to mention. Mardok told me never to read it. Something to do with not knowing what's in your future - you didn't decipher it did you because Jimmy said you had?’
‘No, I couldn't, it's written in a very peculiar ancient language, different to that of the first piece. I told him a load of bollocks to shut him up. I’m wondering if they were written in two different era’s though.’
‘Then I have no idea. I think we have exhausted every lead. But if only we had the book too...’
‘Don’t worry; the book is safe in my bag. I sneaked it under my top when Stride got me out of the hotel, and I did manage to get a look at it. Actually, it mentioned something about, er...let me think...the serpent sword should penetrate the demon flesh, but then in order to break the curse, one must take the book and recite the Spell of The Anubis. Does that make sense to you?’ she shrugged.
‘Well, that's what Mardok told me, but there's something I don't understand...why was Draven saved that day, maybe Ryder knew he was his father and let him go?’
Stride, who was dozing off on the chair leapt up.
‘You mean to say Ryder killed the New Bloods?’
‘Yes, and all along I thought it was the Others. You see, father was expecting them that day as they are the ones with the authority on the Ankh, but I remember Draven saying he could sense something darker… oh I just don’t understand it...you don't think Ryder and Draven are in this together do you, I mean, do you see him here?’
‘That's true, but he didn't know of Ryder's existence though did he?’ April said, still engrossed in whatever she was reading on the computer.
‘Have you ever thought he has been protecting him?’ Stride asked ‘Because, I remember that day I met him in that pub, he mentioned a lot of things that didn't quite add up.’
‘Really? But like what exactly?’
Stride pulled his chair closer to me.
A worried frown drew across his face and it looked as if he was reliving the moment in his head before he began to tell me.
‘Even though I was drunk that night, some of the things he said have stuck with me, for whatever reason. Thinking back now, when I asked him about how he came to know about your whereabouts he mentioned Jim... then trailed off onto something else. I never gave it a thought at the time. Funny how things come back to you after all these years. Also, he was adamant that he should be kept a secret to you...until the time was right. Maybe I'm making a big thing out of nothing, but I have a feeling he knew Jimmy long before I did. And, if he knew Jimmy, then he'd know about Ryder...’
‘So, the question is then, are The Others on our side?’ April asked ‘Even that wolf?’
‘That's what I'd like to know. Although Mardok did say Randulphr would give us information, so that confirms it for me. You know, my father always said they were superior to us...so if they didn't kill my clan then it had to be Ryder, like Mardok says. But the question is how? One-half vampire to slain them all? It doesn't seem feasible.’
‘The Others, you say, works for Mardok? You don't suppose they knew about Draven siring a half vampire child, which led to them discovering your whereabouts? Maybe Jimmy had already been informed and got there first? Y'know, before Randulphr could get there to warn you.’ April said, still tapping away at the laptop.
‘Hm, yeah I wonder...I think I really should speak with Mardok again, but I have no idea how in the hell to reach him. We've only got less than 24 hours.’
‘You did say you had a plan?’ Blaze asked
‘Yeah I do...’
Stride’s mobile rang, cutting me off.
‘Jyrki, the call is for you!’ he said, handing me his mobile.
‘Me?’ Whom do I know?
‘Hi?’ I said.
‘It's Draven, look I don't have much time, so meet me now at the Bat Cave...it's a bar, Blaze will know where it is. And please trust me, alright. I'm on your side.’
He hung up before I could say anything.
‘Who was it?’ Stride asked looking a little pale.
‘It was Draven, he says he wants to meet me at the Bat Cave, he said Blaze will know where it is,’ I shrugged.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, and looked at me. I could see by their facial expressions that they felt it was a bad idea.
‘He's my brother though, what possible harm could he do to me?’
Blaze shook his head, and Stride rubbed his chin, mulling over all the worst-case scenarios that could arise.
‘Are you sure about this? What if he isn't on our side, and he has Ryder and Jimmy with him? Those three together could cause Armageddon just sitting down for a pint.’
‘Yeah, good point. What good would two mortals and one vampire be against that lot?’
April did not look too convinced either.
‘Personally, it's up to you what you do, and whatever you decide we'll back you up, but didn't you say you had a plan?’
‘I was thinking, as it's Halloween tomorrow, and it's the gig, why don't we entice them there? Make it out to be part of the show, so that way nobody becomes suspicious.’
‘Well, let's find out what Ryder is capable of first, we can't really let them mingle amongst the humans, that would be asking for trouble.’
‘Yes, but think about it, we can't let the humans know what is going on either, it was part of the deal with the Ancient God's. I don’t want to be responsible for altering world history. Or is there another way?’
‘There must be. Let’s wait until that wolf shows up again,’ Stride said.
CHAPTER THIRTY
‘Where is this club?’ I asked Blaze.
‘It's an underground club, not far from here.’
‘You mean it's underground?’
‘Yeah, but it has been boarded up for a few years now.’
‘Why would he want to meet us there?’ Stride muttered.
‘Have you ever thought it's safer for him and its dark?’ April said.
‘C'mon then, let's go now, see what the hell is happening,’ Stride said, stumping out his cigarette on the floor.
We had gone fifteen minutes up the road when Blaze began to slow the van down. Many of the properties had rental or for sale signs outside. It looked like the usual breeding ground for the addicts and the tramps to spend their time.
‘Here it is,’ Blaze said, pointing to a red brick building, ‘I use to come to this place when I was a kid. I saw The Clash here once in the mid-eighties. I can’t believe the
state gone on it now.’
‘Bloody hell, he must’ve done some walking last night to end up here,’ Stride said.
‘There's an entrance just there,’ Blaze said pointing to a boarded up door, ‘Jyrki, go and see if you can pull it open.’
We all got out of the van and walked towards the building. A few youngsters walked by and gave the usual scowl and look of disapproval. I had come to accept this as normal now and walked gracefully past them.
‘Let me help you,’ Stride said trying to pull the board off.
‘It's fine,’ I sniggered. ‘I am more than capable. Er, April, maybe it’s best if you wait in the van?’
‘I’ll wait outside the van, ok? Believe me you me, I am much tougher than I look.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that…’ I said; feeling slightly pissed off that I had annoyed her.
April smiled. ‘I was kidding, but I will wait here alright. Don’t worry about me too much.’
‘Ok, just be careful alright,’ I said to her, nodding towards the youngsters watching us.
‘I see, ok! Now go.’
I walked down the steep, narrow staircase into blackened room. A single candlelight flickered and shone on top of the bar.
‘Draven, are you here?’
‘This is a fucking trap, I know it,’ Stride said, ever the pessimist.
I raised my hand to hush him up.
‘I'm here, but I'm not too good. Ask Stride to get us some blood and keep the humans away Jyrki. I can’t deal with smelling their blood right now.’
‘He’s behind the bar. Stride, quick, get the blood from the van.’
‘I'm on it.’
My eyes were used to the dark; in fact, I used to think I saw better at night than day. My instinct was also highly tuned in the darkness and as soon as I reached the last step, I knew our assumptions about him were wrong.
I crouched down beside him. He was shaking and in full vampire. Miraculously he had managed to chain himself to the bar before he could do any serious damage.
‘I'm here, what the fuck happened?’
‘I couldn't risk going back to Stride's place for food. I was lucky enough to escape Jafar.’
‘How did you contact us?’
‘Stride dropped his phone at the hotel. I was so hungry and afraid of killing someone Jyrki.’
‘It's okay now. So, um…is Ryder really your son?’
‘Yes,’ he nodded.
‘Here's the blood. Jyrki you best give it to him,’ Stride said
‘Here, take this. So you only found out about Ryder this morning?’
‘Yes, I didn't even know about him, I swear. He's my son, my son.’
‘Stride reckons you knew about Jimmy long before he did, is this true?’
Draven struggled to sit up. I undid the chain and helped him up from the floor.
‘Listen Jyrki, there is something I didn’t tell you.’
I didn’t like this sound of this.
‘I, er, may have left some details out when I spoke about the last day at the compound. Before I was knocked unconscious, I saw Jimmy in his wolf form…’
‘You what?’
‘Yes, we were all in hiding when they came. I was stood behind the tree at the edge of the compound when I saw father walk towards this wolf. I assumed he was trying to strike a deal with him but by the expression on fathers face, I don’t think this wolf was what he was expecting. I heard him telepathically say his name was Jafar and all hell broke loose, the next thing I know I’m out cold.’
‘So father was expecting Randulphr then? The Others didn’t want to kill us.’
‘That’s the way it looks right now.’
‘Draven, did you vamps know you could have kids?’ Blaze asked
‘Of course, but it was forbidden to even enter a relationship with a woman, especially a human one. It was part of the agreement we had. But I'd love to know what happened to his mother,’ he wept
‘Where's Ryder now? Why is he working for them?’
‘He was abandoned by his mother when he was five. As soon as he started biting her and craving blood, her family, who were superstitious anyway decided to abandon him in the woods. It must've been when the ancients caught on. But it seems like Jimmy had got there first.’
‘Fuck! Vampire babies, now that's an even scarier thought,’ Blaze said
‘So what did they want with him?’
‘They wanted him to get to us for the Ankh. That's why the Others were sent to protect us that day because they knew what was going to happen. If they get their hands on the Ankh, jimmy will spill our blood, but worse than that, he’ll open the gates to underworld and change the entire human race into monsters. Imagine how catastrophic that would be?’
‘But why?’
‘Because he was betrayed by Ramesses.’
‘What? Is that you Randulphr, where are you?’
Randulphr walked out of the shadow into the glimmer of the candlelight.
‘When the Blood War broke out, Ramesses had already ordered Amroath with the serpents’ sword. He trusted Mardok to give it to him to protect, as he feared it would end up in the wrong hands. Once all the vampires were killed, Jafar, who was once nothing more than a guardian of the temple, like us, sought revenge on Amroath in order to take the sword, until he realised the Ankh would enable him to walk in daylight. He also knew something about the sword we did not know at the time. It is the only weapon to kill immortals.’
‘The sword father gave you?’ I said to Draven.
‘Do you still have it?’
‘Of course, it's safe at Blaze's place.’
‘So the sword has something to do with the ending of the prophecy? But what?’
‘As you know, the future is not really ours to speak of. We are only here to ensure you do your part.’ Randulphr explained.
‘But what about Mardok? Why was I sent back, is there anyway of me going back again?’
‘You entered into another realm; it wasn't Egypt as it is today. The Ankh had saved you from falling out into the sunlight because you are part of something bigger than all of us. I am not entirely sure if you could go back again.’
‘I am aware there is going to be a fight for this Ankh. Jimmy mentioned something about central Park, tonight?’
‘It all has to end tonight; it was the way it was written. Do you have the prophecy and the Book?’ Randulphr asked.
‘Yes, but we can't decipher the last text on the prophecy. Should we know what it says?’
‘No, you mustn’t. The spell is the only thing you’re going to need and I trust April can decipher this for you?’
‘Yes, I'm sure she can.’ Stride said.
‘Was April a part in this, the prophecy I mean?’ I asked.
‘You all were. The world is a very mysterious place. It’s far too complex for a human mind to understand. Anyway, I have to go, but we’ll be back when you need us.’
‘Hang on, before you go. How does Jimmy shift into a wolf? Is there anything we should know about?’
‘Yes, there is something. He cannot shift into wolf form in daylight; after all, he is one of the creatures of the darkness himself. Just don’t underestimate him. Wolves can be very cunning and manipulative, which is the reason why we were chosen to protect the secrets.’
‘Is there a blanket in the back of the van?’ Blaze asked
‘What for?’ Stride said
‘To cover Draven.’
‘It's ok, I have one here I took from the hotel.’
‘Right, c'mon let's get out of this place, it's giving me the creeps,’ Blaze said.
‘And I need something to eat too,’ I said.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
It all ends tonight, whether the prophecy is in my favour, or not, I do not know. My fate is now placed in the hands of the Ancient God's.
As if that thought didn't sit like a dark depression on my shoulders, these people, whom I've come to regard as my dearest friends, would find themselves livin
g their lives as I have done for the last hundred and nineteen years.
Jafar's dealings with the underworld would cost this world so much more than immortality, that was something I could not let happen.
As long as I had the faith of my father within me, I was prepared to put my life on the line for the human race, as after all it looks like this was written long before I ever came into this world.
‘Jyrki, you're gonna be alright,’ April said, as if she was reading my thoughts.
I tried to force a smile just to reassure her, but I could not.
I took a hold of her hand and placed a sincere, delicate kiss on the back. This was not something I normally did, so I felt quite surprised by my actions.
Realising what I had done, I turned to look away, slightly embarrassed in case Draven had seen me.
April did not say anything but the feeling of her shoulder against mine said a lot more than words ever could. The van was silent, which was doing nothing for my nerves. Everyone looked as if they were lost in their own secluded world, which gave me more cause for concern.
I did not want my friends to have to carry this burden.
Then thankfully, Stride broke the painful silence.
‘If there is a way of getting Jimmy into his human state, then that would be a great help,’ he said.
Draven shook his head from under the blanket.
‘That wouldn't make much difference; he will still be an immortal.’
‘Yeah, but he'd be easier to handle,’ Blaze said still concentrating on the road.
‘So, April, you know what to recite?’ Stride asked ‘I mean, you can read Egyptian right?’
‘Of course I can. I’m not studying for a doctorate on Egyptian history and Archaeology for nothing am I? So what exactly is going to happen to you Jyrki? Will you become human?’
‘Yes, jeez I haven't really had time to think about this properly. A human?’
‘Is it what you really want lad?’ Stride asked.
‘What I really want? Of course,’ I said half-heartedly.
‘You don't sound too sure?’
‘I do, it's just a lot to take in right now, besides we don't even know if I'm going to win this fight.’