The Vampires of Soldiers Cove: Progeny

by Jessica MacIntyre

  That evening we gave Ryan the big news of the impending arrival of his new little brother or sister. He was overjoyed at the thought of being a big brother and right away started going through his toys, trying to figure out which ones he could pass along to his new sibling. We smiled at each other all evening as he made his way up and down the stairs multiple times showing us different things he planned to hand down.

  Sometime later when Ryan was settled into bed Gavin and I sat talking at the kitchen table. Something else that had returned was my craving for coffee and Gavin joined me in a cup, sipping at his while I gulped mine. “How did your visit with Holly go?” I finally asked.

  “Really well,” he said. “I saw Kenzie too, and I figure that if she can be happy with him after everything she’s been through that’s really all that matters. Holly deserves to be happy. We all do.”

  “You’re right. I think they’ll be good for each other. Do you think she’ll be sick again?”

  “She’s not showing any signs of slipping back so far. Mom and Dad are cautiously optimistic. They have lots of experience with blood sickness so if they feel she’s not doing well they’ll step in. I have a feeling she’s going to be fine though.”

  “I hope so. I just wish Alexander could be happy.”

  “No luck with the Authority in Sydney huh?”

  “Nope.”

  “Well that’s not a surprise,” he said, taking my empty cup and pouring the rest of his very full one down the sink.

  “It’s not?”

  “No. Alex has been living there for a couple of years but they probably still see him as an outsider. And given his…unique disability…they are probably scared of the unknown.”

  “That doesn’t seem right to me. We all know Alexander is not a vampire to be concerned with here. I don’t see why Angus just doesn’t grant Alex permission to do it here and have Leiv join our clan. Then he could just move home. He should be with his family anyway.”

  “Listen to you, mother hen. I agree with you. But, you know, a lot of the other vampires here consider Alex to be too much of a wild card. I think it’s ridiculous myself. If he was dangerous or unstable in some way he’d have given us some sort of sign by now. It’s that whole fear of the unknown thing though. The older people get the more they hate it, and most of the clan here are plenty old.”

  I was still perplexed at the notion of intolerance among vampires in certain situations. It would seem that a race of people who had lived and experienced just about every event and time in history imaginable should be very open minded. Sadly, that wasn’t the case, not in Cape Breton at least. “You think that’s what it is?”

  “I can’t think of anything else it could be Rachel.”

  Gavin was right. Unless there was something else we didn’t know, it seemed that Alex was subject to being watched, for now at least, until they decided he was ready to be a guardian.

  Chapter nine

  Three months passed. Ryan started ‘big boy school’ as we liked to call it, taking the bus to and from the little elementary school in St. Peter’s every day. We were so proud. He wasn’t scared at all and seemed ready to face this new challenge with a brave face and an abundance of curiosity.

  Changes were happening in the clan too. The vote had been held in regards to adding Kenzie to our clan. It had to be unanimous, and it was. Everyone came for the ceremony, even Duncan, who was looking better by the day himself. It was a joyous event and nobody was surprised when it was announced that Holly would be leaving the sanctuary to join him among the humans. They set up their little house on the back road, just like she’d said and now there I was, standing in my kitchen with a fully recovered and excited Holly handing me an envelope.

  “Our wedding invitations,” she said, smiling wide. Her happiness bubbled over as she handed me the card. I opened it and read it, turning it over in my hands as I examined the delicate gold embossed lettering overtop of an elegant black background.

  “Oh Holly,” I said giving her a long hug. “I’m so happy for you. This is great news.”

  “Yeah, I know it seems a little soon, but we didn’t want to waste time. We love each other so why wait? I want more children, that’s what I’ve always wanted and he wants the same thing. I’ve made sure of that.” She reached over, patting my small bump. “Soon I hope to be standing here just like that.”

  I laughed. “Well I’m sure you will be.”

  “Have you heard from Alexander? I sent him one a week ago. He should have received it by now but I haven’t heard anything back.”

  “Not in the last few days. I’ll email him later and ask him about it.” Truth be told I hadn’t heard from Alex very much since his rejection from the Sydney Authority. Our contact had been brief and sporadic. His correspondence seemed forced and I could sense he was depressed. I tried calling but got no answer and had dropped in on him when I was in Sydney on two different occasions. The first time nobody was home, and the next time I could feel his presence inside, but he remained silent, hiding away. I was hurt that he wouldn’t open the door, not even for me, but decided to go away, leaving him and Leiv to have their privacy.

  Holly’s expression grew sad just then. “I wish he’d get in touch with me…and I wish…”

  “What?”

  “I wish I could see Ian and tell him. I blamed him that night for what had happened. It was unfair of me. I’ve been unfair to hold a grudge against him all this time too. He’ll be exhumed from his death sleep next year and when he does I plan to make it up to him. I’ve been thinking about him a lot and I’m going apologize. We’re going to have a fresh start.”

  I thanked god in that moment that Holly had no telepathic abilities and also felt the sadness and grief in my heart for Ian. Unbeknownst to Holly and everyone else, Ian was dead. Gavin had taken his ashes and buried them in the spot where he’d dug him up after waking him early to help him get me away from Christina. Only I, Gavin, Duncan and Alexander knew he was gone. It would be another year before everyone else learned the truth. Guilt closed around my stomach like a fist, holding it tightly and causing it to clench in dread.

  “Well, whatever happens, I’m sure Ian loves you and has always loved you.”

  “Yeah. I just wish we could start it now. I’d really like him to be at my wedding. I thought about waiting, but, I just couldn’t. I’m too anxious to get on with things. I’ve been missing out on everything for the last five years. I have a little nephew that I barely know. I’d like to have the opportunity to know him before…”

  Suddenly Holly put her hand to her mouth, as if realizing she’d said something inappropriate. “Oh Rachel, I’m sorry.”

  I carefully placed the invitation back in the envelope, sitting it down on the counter. “No, no. It is what it is. There’s no point in dancing around it.” Holly had no idea we were searching for ways to turn him and even though she had come out of the sanctuary and we’d been close before, Gavin and I decided not to burden her with the knowledge. She’d want to help and we really felt she should be focusing on herself and her recovery.

  “Has Aries tried to come around? Sometimes these satyrs try to get glimpses of their offspring before it’s time. They are known to be curious about them. You need to take care he doesn’t see him.”

  “I know. But I don’t think that’s a problem with Aries. He did come to see him just after he was born, and we made it clear to him then that he’s not to show his face before Ryan turns fifteen.”

  Ryan had just passed his fifth birthday a few weeks before and now more than ever I felt time running out. I wished I could talk to Holly about it, especially given the fact that her husband-to-be already knew the things we had researched. “Only another ten years,” she said. “I can’t lie to you Rachel. It’s not easy to lose a child. With each one that leaves you, you feel a part of yourself leaving with them. I’m happy you and Gavin have decided to have more though. This child will never take Ryan’s place, but it will give you something to focus
on. Without that it becomes hard to even get out of bed in the morning.”

  I could feel the sadness welling up as she spoke. Speaking of things I didn’t want to talk about or face. She could see by my expression that I wasn’t up for talking about it. “Anyway,” she said, rubbing my shoulder. “Just take care of yourself, and each other. Having someone else to hold on to when things get rough is worth its weight in gold. You and Gavin have hit some snags but you have each other. That’s what it’s all about. Finding and being with that person who can carry you through your darkest times. I know with all my heart that I’ve found that with Kenzie.”

  “We’re so happy for you, Holly. So very happy, and very relieved.”

  “I know. Everyone took such good care of me, but now I can go back to helping care for all of you. It’s what I’m best at.” Holly’s phone made a ping. “Uh oh, the old man is texting me,” she winked. “Well, I better be off. We have some planning to do. I hope you’ll help me pick out my dress.”

  I smiled remembering the excitement she’d shown when helping me pick mine. Although my heart really wasn’t in it, I couldn’t refuse her. “Of course,” I said, forcing a smile. She hugged me once more, giving a tiny squeak of excitement, and left.

  I was left alone with my thoughts for a while, and decided I had too many of them to dwell on. The subjects we’d discussed only made me sad. I was truly happy for Holly, but selfishly I really only wanted to focus on Ryan. I shot Alexander a quick email, wondering as I did it why I was even bothering, the last two hadn’t been answered. After that I prepared dinner.

  At the end of the day Ryan came vaulting inside, Gavin trailing behind. He had met him at the bus stop and walked him back to the house. He had a little picture in his hands that he had drawn of all of us. Him, me, Gavin, Maggie and Gizzy. There was a tiny little pink speck to the side of the picture. “What’s that?” I said after looking at the entire thing closely.

  “That’s the baby. We don’t know what she looks like yet so I didn’t know how to draw her.”

  “Well, you don’t exactly know if it’s a ‘her’ or a ‘him’ now do you buddy?” Gavin said.

  Ryan rolled his little eyes as if his father had said the dumbest thing he’d ever heard. “Of course it’s a girl, Daddy. Mommy, will you hang that up and keep it forever?”

  I had to turn away to keep him from seeing me tear up. “I will,” was all I managed to get out. Luckily he didn’t notice anything was wrong and raced up the stairs to play. Gavin most definitely did notice and held me against his chest as I tried to keep it together. “Gavin, this is awful. I can’t stand it.”

  “I know,” he said squeezing hard. The last three months of nightly searches had turned up no new information. We were staring down the barrel of a dead end and both of us were working to accept that. It had been five years of searching, hoping and digging, and we were at the point where we weren’t finding out anything we didn’t already know. Our only hope was to possibly have a daughter and bank that blood.

  I broke away, putting Ryan’s drawing up on the stainless steel fridge door, securing it with five or six alphabet magnets. Unlike most parents, I probably would keep it forever.

  “Hey,” he said, laying a hand on my shoulder. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you lie down? I’ll give Ryan dinner when it’s ready.”

  I realized I was a little tired and could probably use some sleep. “If you’re eating tonight ours is in the sink, thawing out.” I hadn’t seen Gavin eat in over a week so I took out enough for both of us, just in case.

  “Oooh steak,” he said looking down at the two slabs of meat thawing out in the water.

  “Yes, and the more pink it is the better.”

  “I’ll make sure it’s still mooing.”

  I stripped down to my underwear and fell into the soft bed with a sigh. A few moments later I was asleep.

  ***

  Everything was white. Standing in the driveway of Alexander’s little house in Sydney, in the middle of a pretty little cul-de-sac, I felt the emptiness. The streets were vacant and a white fog had settled into the area, covering almost everything. My hand scraped up against the side of my car as I walked and some of the white mist that had settled on it fell away in flakes. Turning my palm up to the sky I realized that this wasn’t fog or mist, it was ash. The whole neighbourhood was covered in a thick white ash and with every step I took, it piled up even more underneath my feet.

  Pushing the door open I saw the inside of their home was entirely covered with the same substance. The walls, the tables, and the floor were completely white. Rounding the corner to check the living room it was then that a shock of red covered the carpet. Running now, I followed the trail of crimson until it led me to the backdoor and outside. It was as if something had bled to death as it tried to escape, leaving a trail all the way behind it.

  When I pushed the back door open, entering the small, fenced in back yard it was then that I saw Leiv, covered in blood as if he’d been attacked. He crawled on his belly toward me, his life’s blood pouring out like a raging river, pulsing with each heartbeat as he moved. I didn’t notice the stake in his hand until he was on the ground at my feet.

  Alexander’s face flashed through my mind and, as if he knew what I was thinking, pointed to the ashes lying all around. He let out a loud sob as the stake fell from his hands. He didn’t have to say it out loud. Alexander was dead.

  ***

  I woke up trembling with absolute fear, threw my clothes on and raced downstairs to my laptop, opening up my email to see if I’d gotten a response from Alexander. “Come on! Come on!” I pleaded with it as I waited for it to boot up. Gavin came in the living room to see what was going on.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Ignoring his question I kept looking at the screen willing the program to open. Finally after a few excruciatingly long seconds it did. I scrolled through all of the new messages looking for the one I wanted, the one I needed to see so desperately. It wasn’t there. The smell of the steak was in the air, filling the house with its rich aroma, but as hungry as I was, I couldn’t have cared less. “I have to go see Alexander.”

  “Now?” Gavin said, surprised.

  “Yes, now. Something is wrong. I haven’t heard from him in a long time and something is really, really off about that. You stay here with Ryan. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “Well, ok, if you feel you have to. Just promise you call when you get there and let me know everything is ok.”

  “I will,” I said, putting on my shoes and grabbing the car keys, using my vampire speed which we had agreed never to use in the house, lest Ryan see.

  I was in the car in a flash and headed for Sydney.

  ***

  Things were eerily silent in the tiny cul-de-sac as I drove up the street, turning into Alex and Leiv’s driveway. The car was home, but all the blinds were drawn well before dark. The mailbox was full to bursting and I knocked some of the letters out of it as I reached up to bang on the door. I bent to scoop them up, stuffing them back in place and waited. No answer. The seconds ticked by with a slow and agonizing pace. One more try, that was all I was willing to give. If nobody answered I would be breaking in.

  I knocked a second time and waited. After deciding ten seconds was enough and looking around to make sure I was alone, I placed my hand on the door knob, pushing with all my strength and popping the handle. Small splinters flew from the frame as I forced my way in, stepping across the threshold. Although this was where Alexander and Leiv lived together it was technically the home of a human. It was Leiv’s house and thankfully I’d been previously invited or I would have found myself bursting into flames only to turn to ash.

  I felt Alexander close by, but didn’t see either of the two downstairs. “Alex?” I called up the stairs. “Alex are you up there? Everyone’s really worried. I need to talk to you. Please let me see you and make sure you’re ok.”

  A muffled thump came from the upper floor, causing me
to startle and then I heard the heavy footsteps, quickly making their way to the top of the staircase. A moment later Alex appeared at the top. He looked like he’d been crying. Rachel, hurry, please come up! he transmitted.

  “Alex, what’s wrong?”

  Leiv is up there. He’s hurt but he won’t go to the hospital. He won’t let me help him. He keeps saying he wants to die.

  I flew up the stairs and into the room that Alex and Leiv shared. Leiv was sitting on the bed, face bruised and bloodied just like I’d seen in my dream. He was holding a stake in one hand and a knife in the other, threatening to slice his wrist open. “Leiv, honey, what are you doing?” I said, keeping my voice calm and steady.

  “I’ll stake you if you get too close,” he yelled. “Stay over there.”

  I took a seat on a little chair on the far side of the room. “Ok, I’m just going to sit here and I won’t come any closer. Leiv, you’re scaring the hell out of Alex, and now me. Why are you doing this?”

  “I’m so tired,” he sobbed. “I can never be with the person I want to be with. Something is always wrong with me. I’m never good enough for anyone. They won’t let me be with Alex and if I can’t be with him forever then I’d rather die.”

  “What do you mean you can’t be with him? He’s right here. He wants to help you.”

  “He’s better off without me if they won’t let him turn me.”