I figured I had nothing to lose by being honest at this point. If I’d known precisely what Ely wanted to hear I’d have told him, but I had no idea and so I simply answered truthfully. “I like to think of myself as mostly the type that belongs here, although there are certain things about the city I did like.”
“Like what?”
“The hunt. The enormous possibilities all around for a variety of blood. I like the chase.”
“The chase is good. What about if you can’t have the chase for a while? How does that make you feel?”
“As long as I can make a trip to the blood den every so often I’ve been fine with that. What does this have to do with…”
He raised his hand cutting me off. “One of the first things you did when you were turned was kill an innocent. How do you feel about such things?”
“It’s wrong. No human should die to feed a vampire, not unless they’re worthy.”
“Worthy?”
“Yes. If they are causing pain to others I believe in putting them down.”
“And what about vampires? If the ones causing pain to humans belong to our kind, what then?”
“Ely,” I said cutting to the chase. “I know what you’re getting at. You’re asking me if I could execute someone I knew if they were causing problems, like Gavin did for all those years. You’re asking me if I could kill someone close to me if the situation called for it.”
He was silent for a moment. “And could you?”
“I know I should say yes, but I’ve found over the years that I don’t know how I’ll react in certain situations until I’m in them. I could tell you what you want to hear Ely, but that would be dishonest. The truth is, I don’t know.”
He smiled a little. “I was very young when I became leader myself you know. I had only been turned for about ten years so I wasn’t much older than yourself. That was over a century ago now. I’ve made mistakes, some I wish I could undo, but I’ve always wanted what was best for my people.”
“Do you consider yourself a good leader?” I asked him.
“I do. Rachel, you know my options here are very limited. I like you. I’ve had great admiration for you over the years. Even though you’ve been through some terrible things you’ve managed to keep your composure and fight for what’s right. You’d make a good leader, at some point, but at this point in time I’m not sure.”
“You’re going to execute me aren’t you?” I said without preamble.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Well, like you said, your options are limited. You can make me leader or you can kill me. It’s one or the other, Ely.”
A guilty look crossed his face. I could tell he was indeed leaning toward the more difficult choice. “I’m sorry, Rachel.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault. I just need to know what you plan to do about the orphans. Who will care for them? This clan will be inundated with them in a matter of weeks as they all make their way back to Soldiers Cove.”
Ely rubbed his hands together, concerned. “How many do you estimate there are?”
“Hundreds,” I said.
“You know they won’t just be sick, they’ll be angry. If I left you alive after their recovery some of them might want to kill you to avenge their maker. Even though it will make them sick all over again some of them may not care. Most of them have been gone a long time. God knows what they’ve turned into. That would be severely dangerous for you.”
I raised my hands waving his comment off. “It’s not about me,” I said. “They will return and they will be ill. I need to know there is a plan in place to care for them. If I hadn’t interfered they wouldn’t be suffering so before you end me I need to know what you plan to do for them. If I can’t be here to care for them in body I want to be certain someone else can. Despite my differences with Angus he did allow me to be turned and saved me from a life of misery. I at least owe his orphans that much.”
Ely nodded. “You have my word they’ll be taken care of. I’ll even make room for some of them in Chapel Island’s sanctuary if Soldiers Cove becomes overwhelmed.”
I felt tears of relief sting my eyes. If I had to die at least I wouldn’t have that on my conscience. “Thank you,” I said, my voice breaking. Ely’s promise, coupled with the fact that Gavin and the children were somewhere safe made me feel as though I may be able to actually die in peace.
“Of course.” He took my hands in his, giving me a hardened look. “Rachel, I need to think some more but I will have a decision soon. I promise you.”
“Thank you, Ely. I know this can’t be easy for you. I’m sure you weren’t expecting something so complicated when you agreed to this.”
“These things happen,” he said, patting my hand and then standing. “I’ll see you soon.” And with that he closed the door leaving me alone once again.
Chapter Thirty three
I settled back in my seat expecting another long wait and tried once again to connect with Gavin. I had no illusions as to what was about to happen and even though we had said one goodbye, one didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to hear his voice once again, even if it was only in my mind and tell him that I loved him. I wanted to tell him to be strong and to let Duncan and the others care for him. His loss of the blood bond would be worsened by the fact that he’d developed Blood Bond Syndrome (an over attachment to ones progeny) after I’d been turned. It had certainly lessened but had never fully gone away. He was going to be very ill. So would Leiv. My one act of impulse was going to cause a ripple effect of suffering among those close to me and those far away.
I was convinced however that it would be better this way. Selfishly I was somewhat relieved. There was no point in worrying about any of the things that had been plaguing us over the last few years since Ryan’s birth. All of that would be Gavin’s burden and there was nothing I could do.
Sooner than I expected the door clicked open and Ely was standing there, his ceremonial robe pulled up over his head. He cut a striking figure and I couldn’t help but think that he looked like death. All he needed was a scythe to make the illusion complete. He held a similar robe out to me and I took it, putting it on as well. “It’s time,” was all he said.
I said nothing in return, there was nothing left to say. As I had sat alone in the room I’d contemplated using my ability with fire to get away, but decided against it. We were so deep in the sanctuary that I’d have to set the entire place on fire. Many would die as I fled and I decided I didn’t want that. I simply wanted some peace and what was best for everyone.
Silently I followed Ely back down the narrow hallway and out the door to the arena floor, the torches still burned and as I turned to look at the spot where I’d killed Angus I expected to see his ashes still lying there. Thankfully they’d been picked up and the ground had been freshly raked to cover the blood.
Ely was given a ceremonial sword by the same young woman I’d seen earlier. He took it and stood with the point touching the ground, the large hilt shining in his hands. “Kneel,” he said, sternly.
I did as he ordered and he reached out, taking the back of my hood down for me so that I was now facing everyone, exposed. He lowered his hood as well. “Sometimes,” he said, “as we are all old enough to know, things don’t go exactly as planned. Either Duncan or Angus was supposed to be confirmed as leader here today, but seeing as how Angus is dead and Duncan’s victory was thwarted, that isn’t going to happen.”
I was surprised at his casual tone. I had been expecting something much more formal. Vampires lived on ceremony. “Angus trusted my judgement, and all of you trust my judgement by virtue of the fact that you were given an opportunity to voice otherwise and no one did. Are we all in agreement on that?”
There were silent nods all around.
“Good. I am ready to render my decision, and you, as a clan, must be ready to abide by it.”
I focused on Margie and John. They were standing directly above me, John’s arm around his wife who was
obviously worried. Holly was standing next to them as well, her jaw clenched and arms folded. I didn’t have to read her thoughts to know what her next move would be. As soon as we were finished here she would waste no time scooping up Ruby and then joining Duncan, wherever he was. She had one foot out the door already.
Ely turned to me, raised the sword high and said, “Rise.”
I did, sure that this was it, the moment of my death had come. Strangely I was unafraid and I stood, rock steady, ready to receive the sword in my chest. Ely backed up, but instead of aiming the blade toward me he turned the sword around, offering me the hilt. “Take this sword as a symbol of your leadership and a symbol of your strength.” I extended my hand and Ely gently placed the sword in it. “Do you pledge your life to this clan and your blood to these people, all of whom are now your children?”
“I do,” I said instinctually.
“And do you solemnly swear to keep order and peace for the whole of your life, whether it be long or short?”
“I do,” I said again.
“Then take your place, Rachel Landry. Leader of the clan of Soldiers Cove. Turn and face your people.”
I did. My people, as Ely had called them, mostly stood in shocked silence, blank looks upon their faces. The only exceptions were Holly, Margie and John who were looking very much relieved. Holly even had a look of triumph on her face.
Ely leaned in and patted me on the shoulder, whispering only so I could hear. “Congratulations, Rachel. You’re in charge.”
***
A moment later Ely led me back through the door and stopped me just inside the hallway. “A word of advice, if I may?”
I nodded, “Of course. I’ll take any and all I can get.”
“Appoint your council well. Don’t just put people on there who you know will agree with you. You must also have someone who can be the voice of descent. That way everyone feels they’re being heard. It’s good politics and you’ll be more respected that way.”
“Ely, why did you do it?”
He put his arm around my shoulder as we walked back through the hallway. “You’re a born leader, Rachel. You’ve led these people through trying times already. I suspect most of them realize it and they’ll give you a chance. Despite the fact that you’re very young I really don’t see anyone else in this clan with as much heart as you have. You’ve gone to great lengths to protect those you love.”
“I’ve also hurt people greatly, Ely.”
“You’re flawed Rachel. We all are. A lot of people don’t actually realize it. You do, and so I have every confidence that you’ll be a careful and methodical leader. Promise you’ll come see me if you are in need of anything. Even though Angus and I had a strained relationship toward the end we managed to work together pretty well for over a century. Our people are so close together that our issues affect each other. I’m here if you need anything.”
I didn’t know what else to say so I simply said, “Thank you.”
“I wish you many blessings, Rachel. There are hard times ahead and it’s up to you to see your people through. Don’t forget that. Don’t forget who, and what, you are.”
I didn’t know why he had so much faith in me but I was grateful that he did. I hoped I could live up to it. “I won’t,” I said. “I promise.” He leaned in, gave me a congratulatory kiss on the cheek and disappeared down the corridor leaving me alone.
Chapter Thirty four
I listened from the hallway for a few moments as the sanctuary cleared out. Not knowing what to do next I took off the robe and threw it into the room I’d been kept in, then found my way to a set of stairs at the end of the corridor. I was about halfway up when Holly swooshed up the next to me, talking excitedly. “Ok, firstly, congratulations. I really wasn’t expecting that.”
“You and me both. I thought I was done for.”
“I’ve sent word to Gavin and they’re on their way back.”
“The poor kids. They must be so confused.”
Holly smiled and put her arm around me. “They’ll be just fine, and now you can have everything you want. You won’t have to hide your actions from Angus anymore.”
I raised my eyebrows in question. “Duncan told me,” she said. “And besides I figured it out when you took that little trip to Greece. I think Angus did too.”
“If he knew then why did he wait to take action?”
“Angus is,” she stopped, swallowed and corrected herself, “was, a typical politician. He was willing to let things go as long as it didn’t hurt his reputation. Once everyone else got wind of it he looked bad and so he waited until that point to act. He’d become quite concerned with popular opinion in the last few years for some reason. He didn’t want to ruffle any feathers unless it was absolutely necessary. That’s not what a good leader does, although I dare say it worked out in your favor in this case.”
As we ascended the last step and came into the main foyer of the sanctuary we were met by three vampires, two of them were holding up one in the middle who looked like she hadn’t eaten in an extended period of time. They all lowered their eyes as we came up to them, shrinking in a gesture of respect. That was going to take some getting used to.
“My sister, Stella,” the man on her right said as he put a stabilizing arm around her waist. “She’s ill. She needs a bed and your blood.” He spoke with a tremble in his voice, as if he were afraid I would deny his request. The vampire in the middle, who appeared to be of about twenty human years, looked up at me, silently pleading with her eyes.
“Holly,” I said, “I’m going to need your help. She’s only the first of many.”
Like the flipping of a switch Holly’s persona changed. “I’m on it,” she said. “Let’s get her into a transformation room for now until I can get a proper infirmary set up. It won’t take long.”
Holly led the way and all of us followed until we came to the typically sparse room used during the time of transformative sleep. The two men lowered Stella down onto the bed and she sunk into it, letting out a small moan. I bit my wrist and sat down next to her, letting the blood run into her opened mouth. Her discomfort eased a little and mine did as well. I was relieved I could help her. After she had taken a small quantity of my blood she fell asleep. The two men settled into some chairs across the room. “I don’t think we’ve met,” I said. “I’m Rachel.”
One of them smiled a little. “There’s no need for you to introduce yourself. We know who you are.”
“I suppose you do. What are your names?”
“I’m Leo,” said the one who had held his sister round the waist. “And this is my brother, Vincent.”
I shook their hands. “Your sister is going to be just fine,” I said.
Where Leo was amiable, Vincent was less so. “That remains to be seen,” he said.
Leo gave his brother a stern look. “No, he has a right to question me,” I said. “This is all very new to me, but I promise you I’ll do my best to make sure everything is done to make her comfortable and to get her through this.”
Vincent turned his face toward his sister, deciding to ignore me and focus on her for the moment. “I know you will,” Leo said.
“I’m going to see if Holly needs my help setting up the infirmary. I’m certain she’ll be moved there as soon as it’s ready.” And with that I exited, seeing that they preferred to be alone to watch over their sister.
I wasn’t certain where Holly would set things up, but I saw a commotion of vampires, mostly ones I recognized as having lived exclusively at the sanctuary, making their way toward the gathering room. I put my hand on the great door and remembered for a moment my first night here. This was the room where I’d been introduced to the clan. Everything was so new and foreign. I was among a strange group of people, all of whom seemed to have hated me for reasons I couldn’t quite understand.
I felt a presence next to me as I hesitated. “Going in?”
I turned to see Ellie standing there, looking at me with a mix of cur
iosity and concern. “Yes.” I said the word but my feet were rooted firmly to the floor.
“What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know.” I backed up a step as if putting some distance between myself and the room might make the whole experience less real. Suddenly all I wanted was to go back to my house, crawl under the covers and hide.
“Listen,” she said, “there’s something I need to say to you. I was wrong.” It was obvious by the remorse in her eyes that the words were difficult to say. “When you’re as old as I am you can get stuck in your ways. That’s no excuse for behaving the way I did. I’ve had a chance to watch you grow over the last few years and I know that if you’re as good a clan leader as you are a mother we will certainly be very well off.”
I wanted to hug her and it took everything I had not to burst into tears right then and there. I wanted to tell her that I knew also that she was Ryan’s grandmother but instead I kept silent about it, choosing to simply say: “Thank you.”
“Come on now,” she said, opening the door for me. “You have work to do. In addition to caring for all of these wayward souls we’re going to see over the next few weeks and months you’ll have to name a new council and familiarize yourself with everything. You better get started.”
“I really wish I hadn’t put off learning Gaelic,” I said.
“No matter. All in good time.” She smiled and motioned for me to go through the large door as she followed close behind.
On the other side Holly looked as if she were getting ready for war. Mattresses were being carted in by several strong male vampires and bedframes by a group of others. IV poles, bags, buckets and a large quantity of bagged blood sat at the opposite end of the room. It was stacked unceremoniously and reached about ten feet up the wall. “That’s a lot of blood,” I said to Holly as she came to stand next to me.
“If there are as many orphans as you say it won’t be nearly enough.”
That prospect was frightening. “What will we do?”
The Vampires of Soldiers Cove: Progeny Page 18