by M. A. Thomas
“You’ll offend,” Eldrich said.
“Then so be it. I’m a queen in need of help, yes, but I’m still a queen.”
“Then by all means, do as you wish,” he said, smiling.
“God of the Sea, I am Lela, Queen of Barmoth and I request your audience.” She inhaled and kept her stare on the ocean.
Eldrich came to his feet next to her. “God of the Sea, I am Eldrich, Prince of the Barmoth Vampires and I request your audience.”
They both stood, frozen, waiting for a sign that he had heard them. Nothing. The water and air were still as if they too awaited a response from the God of the Sea.
A thought came to Lela’s mind. Of all the gods in all the kingdoms, why had Eldrich chosen to ask for help from the God of the Sea? In their frantic moments to flee his house after the golden ball had entered her bedroom while she slept, she had not questioned his decision to head toward the ocean. He was convinced that only the God of the Sea could help them keep his kind away from her. And while she understood that it was the God of the Sea who had evicted the golden ball from its ocean floor, she did not grasp why Eldrich had not accepted such an action as a sign that the God of the Sea was not on their side.
It was too late to turn back. They were now desperate. And going back would mean facing hungry vampires whose lost souls sought to once again be human. They believed that she was chosen to save them and that her blood was the key to their mortality.
“We…I need your help!” Eldrich yelled. “Make your presence known, I beg you.”
“I’m a queen. My people need me!” Lela said.
“I can’t fight off my kind alone,” Eldrich whispered.
“They are not here yet,” Lela said, biting her lip. Her knees threatening to buckle.
“We’re surrounded,” he said.
“What? No, I don’t see them.” She’d not go down easily. She’d fight them with all her might.
“My, my, it pleases me so to see you again,” a voice said.
The voice was coming from above them. Lela looked up and met eyes with Zaul, the same long-haired vampire whom they had encountered in the mountains after Lady Rema had told them that they needed to travel to the Kingdom of the Dead to beg Godfather Death to return Lela’s father to Barmoth.
“I have dreamt of you every day since the last time I saw you. I can smell you in my sleep. You’re driving me mad. I want to taste every part of you,” Zaul said, rubbing his eye patch.
“She belongs with me,” Eldrich said, standing in front of Lela.
Zaul touched ground in front of them. “Ah yes, Eldrich, our prince. You shame us,” he said.
“The ball is once again on land! You cannot stop us from draining her,” a female vampire with black hair yelled.
More vampires emerged from the forest and Lela was convinced she was going to die. Please forgive me, Barmoth.
“I’m your prince,” Eldrich said to the vampires who were moving in closer to Lela. “You must obey me!”
“The golden ball is our god!” one of the vampires yelled. “Yet, you dare go against it?”
“He’s in love with a human and has forgotten the vampire way,” Zaul said.
“You will not hurt her!” Eldrich said.
The vampires all laughed.
“You can’t be serious?” the black-haired female vampire said. “You would choose a human over your own kind? I spit on you.”
“God of the Sea, hear me! I need your help,” Lela said. Blessed Gods, was her life really about to end? No, not like this. She’d not suffer the same fate her mother did.
“Why would he help you? You’re pathetic. He’s on our side, stupid girl,” Zaul said, spitting at her.
Lela was tempted to take off running. But she knew if she did, they would be on her within a second. She didn’t have a chance.
“If any of you go against me, I swear I’ll destroy you,” Eldrich said.
“Oh, prince of ours, settle yourself. We only want what is rightfully ours. Can you deny that you once wanted the same thing? To be mortal again. To feel the sun on your face. To taste fruit and bread and indulge in sex without the need for blood. You cannot deny wanting such things,” Zaul said.
Eldrich sighed. “I do not deny it. But I won’t have mortality at the expense of someone’s life.”
“Do as you wish. But leave us to claim what is ours,” the female vampire said.
“I will destroy anyone who tries to harm her,” Eldrich. “You do not yet know what I’m capable of.”
Bending forward, Zaul laughed and said, “What you’re capable of? From where does such pronounced confidence come? You’ve always been weak. And now you claim to be otherwise? Oh, I see, love has given you strength. How very sweet.”
“Take her!” the female vampire yelled.
Two vampires lunged at Lela, grabbing her arms and pulling her away from Eldrich.
“Let me be!” she screamed.
Eldrich pushed the two vampires off of her. They landed some ten feet away.
“You cannot fight all of us, alone. You know this,” Zaul said.
“Ah, yes, but you see, he’s not alone,” someone said.
It was Xavier. He was standing next to Eldrich.
“And who are you?” Zaul asked.
“Your kind once had a war with my kind. It breaks my soul to admit that your kind won,” Xavier said.
“A despicable fallen angel is among us!” a vampire yelled.
“How can it be? We destroyed you all,” the female vampire said.
“I’m sorry to disappoint,” Xavier said.
“No matter. One angel cannot stop us,” Zaul said.
“But you see, I brought a few of my friends and what’s more, I have it on good word that the God of the Sea and the God of the Cross, have agreed to help Lela,” Xavier said, expanding his wings.
Xavier was beautiful and Lela was overcome with gratitude.
“You lie!” Zaul said.
In the next moment, some twenty angels encircled Xavier, Lela, and Eldrich. Lela stood paralyzed. The angels nodded and winked in her direction. She had no words for what she was seeing.
“I owe you my gratitude,” Eldrich said to Xavier.
“I’m doing it for Lela,” Xavier said.
A vampire leaped onto one of the angels, knocking him to the ground. The angel came to his feet quickly and reached for the vampire before he could pounce on Lela. In a second, the angel pierced the vampire’s heart with a wooden stake and let his body fall to the sand.
Other vampires approached the circle.
“I’d not come any further,” Xavier said. “We’re stronger than we were during the war.”
“It appears your god has forgiven your treachery and rewarded you with increased strength,” Zaul said to Xavier.
“We’re not the same angels you fought and nearly destroyed,” Xavier said.
“So how does this end? Is there to be a second war between angels and vampires?” Zaul asked.
“Only if you insist on hurting Lela,” Xavier said.
“You’d go to war for her?” Zaul asked, glaring at Lela.
Staring at Lela, Xavier said, “She means more to us than you know.”
Lela did not have words for what was taking place around her. She did not completely understand Xavier’s devotion to her. He’d ask his angels to go to war for her! Yes, they had had sex and yes, she had saved Zel, his lover from the witch, Stiltz. But, there had to be another reason for helping her; Lela was convinced of it.
Just then she felt something at her feet. Blessed Gods, no! It was the golden ball. She screamed and thought for sure, she was going to faint.
Eldrich threw his arms around her and said, “I won’t let anyone hurt you, I swear it.”
“It seems the God of the Sea is not on your side, after all,” Zaul said to Lela.
Despite her fear, Lela stood her ground. She was a queen and would die as one.
“Do what you will, wretched, despic
able vampire but know this, your deed won’t go unpunished,” she said to Zaul.
“Oh no? And how can you be so sure?” Zaul asked, smirking.
“Because I have Godfather Death on my side.”
Zaul and his vampires burst into laughter.
“Is she really that stupid?” Zaul asked Eldrich. “I just don’t see what you see in this ridiculously simple girl.”
“What are you doing?” Eldrich whispered into her ear.
Lela had to think fast and claiming she had Godfather Death on her side was all she could come up with right then and there. She had no intention on being drained by vampires nor did she want to be the cause of another war between vampires and angels. When she had traveled to the Kingdom of Dead, Godfather Death told her he was sparing her because he wanted to see what she would do with her life. In Lela’s mind that meant that yes, he was on her side.
“Trying to stop vampires from draining me,” Lela whispered back to Eldrich.
“In that case, carry on,” Eldrich said, squeezing her hand.
“I’ve traveled to the Kingdom of the Dead yet here I am, still alive. If Godfather Death wasn’t on my side, I wouldn’t be here,” Lela said to Zaul.
Zaul gathered his long hair and then let it fall. Rubbing his brow, he said, “Where is he then? Come now, show us your great protector.”
“You’re an intriguing woman, indeed,” someone whispered into Lela’s ear. “I will help you, but only because no one has ever claimed to have me on their side. I live a lonely existence, you see, and well, I admit to being flattered that you would call on me for help.”
Lela turned to face Godfather Death.
“Come on stupid girl, show us your protector,” the female vampire said.
Lela realized that no one but her could see Godfather Death.
She lowered her head and said to the vampires, “He stands with me, I assure you.” If you mean to help me, Godfather Death, then please hurry before these vampires drain me.
“I will take their leader with me to the Kingdom of the Dead and hold him there for as long as it pleases me. Vampires are immortal and alas, I can’t hold him forever unless, of course, one of your faithful angels is strong enough to put a stake through his heart right here and now,” Godfather Death said to Lela.
“What will taking one of them do for me? How will that stop them?” Lela asked.
“My, you’re an ungrateful girl and not as smart as I thought you were. Think, girl, think! Taking Zaul will scare them. Not only will they be without a leader, they will also believe that I will take them as well if they insist on coming after you.”
Lela sighed. “Why not just take them all?”
“I will not fill my kingdom with vampires! Not even for you,” Godfather Death said.
“Who in bloody hell’s sake are you talking to?” Zaul asked.
“If Godfather Death is really here, he needs to do something soon,” Eldrich said to Lela.
“We’re strong enough to hold them back,” Xavier said.
“I won’t be the cause of a second war between angels and vampires,” Lela said to Xavier.
“Enough!” Zaul said. “Hear me, vampires of Barmoth. Our god has spoken. Lela belongs to us and we’ll have what we came for.” He exposed his fangs and threw himself into the ring of angels.
In the next moment, a cloud of smoke engulfed him.
The vampires gasped. The angels held their place.
When the smoke cleared, Zaul was gone.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Where is he?” the female vampire asked.
“What have you done with him?” another vampire asked.
Lela took in a deep breath. Exhaling, she said, “I was not lying when I told you Godfather Death was on my side. Stand down, unless you want to spend an eternity in the Kingdom of the Dead.”
Some vampires disappeared into the trees.
“Did Godfather Death really take Zaul?” Eldrich asked.
“Indeed,” Lela said.
“Incredible,” Eldrich said.
She wondered if he too was a tiny bit afraid that Godfather Death would make him disappear. After all, he was a vampire and she had a feeling that Godfather Death did not much care for vampires.
“Don’t worry, he has no interest in you,” Lela said.
“Ha! I wasn’t worried. Well, maybe, just a little,” he said with a smile.
“Until we meet again,” Godfather Death whispered into her ear.
“Wait,” she said. “How is my father?”
Godfather Death did not answer.
Lela still hoped that someday she’d see her father again.
“You’re a traitor!” the female vampire said to Eldrich. “Siding with a human and angels. Despicable.” She spit in Eldrich’s direction.
Eldrich didn’t move.
“Your leader is gone,” Lela said. “Resign yourself.”
“I’m the strongest female vampire there is. Do you really think I will ever stop hunting you?”
“What’s your name?” Lela asked.
“Why do you care to know?” she asked.
“If I’m going to be hunted, I’d like to know the name of the person who is hunting me.”
“I’m called Gretel.”
“Okay, Gretel, it appears that you and I are at war with each other.”
Gretel laughed. “You will lose, I assure you.”
“Are you prepared to fight me today? Right here and now?” Lela asked, locking eyes with her.
Gretel glanced at the angels. She then turned to look at the remaining vampires. Only a handful stood with her. The others had all abandoned her.
“I have fight in me still. I’ve been fighting all my life. And I know when to back down.”
“Are we done, then?” Lela asked.
“A witch once asked me the same question after she killed my family,” Gretel said.
“Gretel, please retreat,” Eldrich said.
“I shall do as you ask,” Gretel said, bowing. Turning to the vampires, she said, “I’m your leader, now. Consider us at war not only with Lela and her angels but also with the vampires who abandoned us. We may be defeated today, but I promise you, we’ll have mortality again.”
Lela had to know Gretel’s response to the witch. There was more to Gretel and Lela’s curiosity forced her to ask, “What was your answer to the witch?”
Gretel sighed. “We will never be done.”
“And your response to me?” Lela asked.
“We’ll be done when I have drained you and am mortal again.”
Lela swallowed.
“Retreat or you will force me to strike you down,” Eldrich said, stepping forward.
“Pathetic prince,” Gretel said. “You are weak and hated by your own kind. Striking me down won’t stop a vampire war. Your precious human queen has divided us. You’re not a leader. It is you who should retreat.”
Eldrich attacked Gretel and pushed her down to the sand. He then placed his foot on her chest. “I will crush your heart. Do not ever speak to me that way again. Do you understand?”
Tears rolled down Gretel’s face. She nodded.
Eldrich removed his foot. In a flash, she, along with the other vampires, vanished.
“It’s time for you to go,” Xavier said to Lela.
“I’ll return to the castle,” she said. Lela needed to take her place as Queen of Barmoth. She also needed a week’s worth of sleep. Not to mention a bath and some food!
“That’s not what Xavier meant,” Eldrich said. “Look at the sea.”
Confused, Lela did as he said. Staring at a ship, she said, “What is this?”
“The God of the Sea has chosen to help you,” Xavier said.
Lela gazed at the sand. The golden ball was still with her.
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“He’s provided an escape for you,” Eldrich said, putting his arm around her.
“Why can’t he return the ball to the bottom o
f the sea?” If the God of the Sea wanted to help her all he had to do was swallow the ball once more and the vampires would have no cause to hunt her.
“Gods do what they want and very rarely give reason for their choices,” Xavier said.
Lela didn’t know how to respond. This was madness. Truly, Xavier and Eldrich did not expect her to board a ship and sail away from Barmoth?
“If you do not accept the God of the Sea’s help, you’ll offend and anger him,” Xavier said.
“Sweet love of mine,” Eldrich said, kissing her hand. “You have to leave Barmoth. It’s the only way to keep you safe. My kind will not stop coming after you. Gretel is more determined than ever, now that Zaul is gone.”
Oh, sure, thank you for helping me, Godfather Death! Now an even crazier vampire is after me!
“Where will I go?” Lela asked, ready to burst into tears.
“To the Kingdom of the Elves,” Xavier said.
“What? No such kingdom exists,” Lela said. She smacked her face. “Oh wait, what am I thinking? Indeed, let me guess, it’s one of the unknown kingdoms? Am I right?”
Xavier and Eldrich nodded.
“Ah and what exactly are elves?” she asked.
“They will protect you,” Eldrich said.
She threw her hands in the air. ‘I give up. When do we leave? I’m guessing now?”
Eldrich and Xavier stared at each other.
“I’m going alone, aren’t I?” Lela asked, already knowing the answer.
“I can’t leave the Kingdom of the Lost. I can’t leave Zel,” Xavier said.
He can’t leave Zel? He left her when he accompanied Lela to the Kingdom of the Dead. And he didn’t seem the least bit concerned with Zel when his cock was inside of Lela! There was something else preventing Xavier from going with Lela to the Kingdom of the Elves and Zel wasn’t it. Lela was convinced of it.
“Eldrich?” Lela said.
Eldrich looked away.
“I can’t leave Barmoth,” he said, tears forming.
She could forgive Xavier but not Eldrich. Would he really send her off to an unknown place without him? Once again, for bloody hell’s sake, their love was being tested once again! It was too much. She wanted to break down and weep. She missed her childhood…her beloved Lady Rema, her mother and oh, how she missed her father.