Chapter Sixteen: Resurrection
Mona and Meera stood by the window in Tatya's bedroom, enjoying the sunshine, and keeping one eye on their master, and the other on the patrolling guards.
As Serkan and his vamps hadn’t been seen since Fabio’s successful return from New York, Corwin's deputies were on duty during the day, accompanied by a few werewolves. At night the vampires took charge. Corwin didn't have the manpower to provide full-time protection, but together he, Forked Lightning, and Fabio came to an arrangement that satisfied all parties.
A subtle shift in the air alerted them, and they looked at each other. Twins often have the uncanny ability to read each other's mind, and after a century and a half, this pair had reached a level unimagined by most.
An earsplitting shriek and they turned to see Vanse sitting up, his teeth bared, and his expression feral. He looked to where his fingers entwined with Tatya's. His gaze traveled up her body, registering her unconscious state. He rolled over, his mouth opening, his fangs descending as he latched onto her neck.
Mona and Meera blurred over to the bed. "Fabio!" yelled Meera, as she dug her fingers into the side of his mouth, wrenching his fangs out of Tatya's jugular vein.
Fabio rushed in as Vanse, thrashing against the two women with fiendish strength, fought to keep hold of Tatya.
Mona grabbed a blood bag from a pile on the bedside table, opened it with her teeth, and pressing down on Vanse's shoulder, thrust the neck of the soft squishy bag between his lips.
“Milady’s neck!” gasped Fabio, but Tatya’s skin was already healing.
Vanse released Tatya and latched onto the blood pack. If he hadn't been half demon, he would have shrunk to a dried husk. However, thanks to his maker, or the ensorcelled knife, his body had remained healthy—if hungry. The instant he finished the first bag, another was slapped into his mouth, but it wasn't till he'd consumed five bags in a row that he slowed. Between one second and the next, he passed out.
"Is he okay?" Eva had rushed in after hearing the scream.
"There is no need to whisper," Mona said. "He has merely fallen asleep. You may go about your normal work, we'll let you know when he wakes."
Neither Eva nor Jimmy slept much that night as the doorbell rang non-stop. Fabio reassured Jimmy that it was only family members eager to pay their respects. They were too excited by the news of their master's revival to wait for him to return to the lair and insisted on seeing him without a knife in his chest, even if he was not yet awake.
The next morning as Eva entered Tatya's room to check on her, Vanse opened his eyes, and recognition of those around him began to register.
"Seigneur Vanse." For a minute Fabio couldn’t speak. "Welcome back."
Mona immediately offered him a blood bag, which he inhaled.
A further four bags and he hitched himself up on his elbow, looked around the room and then at Tatya, noticing the almost invisible marks on her neck. "What happened? Did I drink from her?" he asked, his expression a mixture of disbelief and horror.
"You tried, but the twins stopped you." Fabio introduced Eva.
Although she wasn’t a family member and was uncertain of the correct protocol for such an occasion, she decided to err on the side of caution and offer a respectful bow.
Vanse studied Tatya. “Why isn’t she waking up? What’s wrong with her?” His last memory was of Tatya kneeling over him on an altar in the Glusgap forest, with a pack of howling weres on the cusp of shifting into their wolf form, and the knife entering his chest. For the next fifteen minutes, as he continued to sip his way through another three bags of blood, he was brought up to date by Fabio. As he listened to the recent tragic turn of events his expression hardened. "How was Angelus able to take Tatya—if it was him?"
Eva spoke, surprised at her own audacity at speaking to this formidable vampire, even if Tatya's description of him as retaining his core of humanity was correct. "Tatya mentioned hearing an odd sound, a few days before Forked Lightning removed the block on her powers."
"Block on her powers?"
Fabio explained, in the most diplomatic terms, the reasons for her action.
Vanse sat silent for a few minutes digesting the information, then closed his eyes. "Yes, I can sense traces of the artifact Angelus used to instigate the fire that burned down the original house. She destroyed it, but she may have established a connection when she blasted it." He paused, remembering her fierce anger. "The first time she visited after returning from staying with you,” he nodded at Eva, “she sensed something odd, but she thought it was an echo from its previous presence here. My suspicions are that he hid or masked the artifact."
"Why did he wait so long to take her?" Fabio asked.
"Maybe when her powers were blocked, his access to her was also barred… and... when they returned…" Eva offered timidly.
Vanse looked surprised. "I think you are right." He studied Tatya and leaned toward her. The three vamps watching him tensed, but he gently kissed her lips. "Soon, we’ll speak soon. I promise," he whispered.
"If you wish to shower and change, Master, the bathroom is through there," Fabio pointed to the en suite bathroom, "and we have laid out a set of fresh clothes for you.”
"And where is this Serkan now?"
"We assume he left Orleton after receiving the High Council's order to leave. Neither he nor any of his remaining followers have been seen around town."
"One small mercy, then." Vanse handed the emptied blood bag to Mona, who tossed it into a shiny red vintage cooler with the others. He held his hand up as his three caretakers stepped toward him. "I've been asleep,” he said. “I haven’t developed some incurable disease and I'm most surely not an invalid."
When he came out of the shower, he moved with such quiet grace that Eva, who'd been straightening the blanket covering Tatya, gasped with surprise.
"My apologies for startling you." He smiled, and Eva's suspicions melted.
"Tatya talked a lot about you," Eva responded. "What happened last year was awful for her, and now this…. Can you bring her back to us?”
Vanse caught the hope in her question. "I will do everything possible within my power. You have proved yourself a real friend, and I shall never forget what you have done for Tatya. Do not worry, my people will continue to work with the weres, and guard the house at night. Be assured, you are under our protection until this state of affairs is resolved." Vanse bowed to her, and swept out, Fabio and the twins in tow.
Eva watched from the window as Mona placed the cooler full of empty blood bags in the trunk of the vampmobile.
The vampire twin turned and waved up at her before getting into the driving seat.
Eva stood gazing out at the bright sunshine, the budding green of the trees and the blue sky long after they left.
The reunion in the ballroom would have brought tears, blood or saline, to the eyes of any observer. Vanse walked among his family, embraced and kissed each one on the cheek, and wiped away their tears of joy. Life had been trying this past year. Several vampires had descended into deep depression, and while many maintained hope of seeing their beloved maker again, they had despaired of it happening any time soon.
Once his family was reassured their master had truly returned, he focused their attention on the situation at hand. "Again, we join in battle against our old enemy, the demon Angelus. But first Serkan must be found. The werewolves want to avenge their dead, and we cannot afford to have this matter lying between us to sow future discord. Continue as normal, unless Fabio, who will organize the search, instructs you otherwise, and be prepared."
The crowd moved uneasily at Vanse's statement, but nothing could take away the joy of having their master with them again.
After the last one left, Vanse turned to Fabio. "This Daniel remains in the hospital?"
"Yes. His injuries were severe, and even for a werewolf, it's taking time for him to heal."
"I'm sure he has protection, but arrange a meeting, and I shall pa
y him a visit."
Daniel was no longer in intensive care and had been moved to a room at the far end of the men’s private ward on the third floor. Visiting hours were in full swing with visitors coming and going.
"Only him." A bulky werewolf moved in front of Fabio as he went to follow Vanse.
“That's fine, stay here," Vanse instructed as he followed the were through the swing doors.
As the werewolf preceded the vampire master along the corridor, a sixth sense alerted patients and visitors in the other rooms that something unusual was taking place. Conversations halted mid-sentence as they glimpsed the tall dark handsome man stalking past their windows.
A couple of weres guarded the door to Daniel’s room, and four more stood inside.
“Close the door," Daniel ordered, and a pack member jumped to obey. Although retired, Daniel was their former alpha, and had the pack's allegiance and loyalty. He'd handed leadership over to Forked Lightning rather than wait to be challenged by some young male itching to demonstrate his prowess in front of the females—a trial not every alpha survived. He lay in bed with both legs and his right arm splinted, but the bruises on his face and neck were fading.
Judging by his pallor, Vanse speculated the man had suffered serious internal injuries as well but was on the mend.
"We are normally more hospitable to our guests, but make yourself comfortable." Daniel nodded at the visitor's chair by the bed. "Wait outside," he told the weres in the room.
One opened his mouth as if to object, but shut it quickly at the look in Daniel's eye.
"Thank you for seeing me. I've not had the chance, but I believe I owe you a debt for helping to save my life last year." Vanse offered a slight bow and sat down.
"It was the lesser of two evils. Though your path seems to be connecting with ours once more. What do you want from me?"
"I wish to meet with Forked Lightning. I have an offer to make."
"Why not approach him yourself?"
"At this point, I don't think he would listen long enough to any vampire—even one whose life he has saved twice—to give proper consideration to my proposal."
"You're right. Tell me what you propose, and if I think it will help, I'll set it up."
"Shall I park here?" Fabio asked as the vampmobile approached the end of Main Street.
"Around the side. Forked Lightning said he would leave the gate unlocked." Vanse looked at the shop as the car slowed.
Healing Herbs the sign read, its gold lettering gleaming on the pale mint green background as it caught the sun.
The outside looked much as Vanse remembered it, except the running leaf motif painted around the shop name now continued around the inside of the windows. He caught a snatch of a forest mural at the back of the shop, and a display of bright dreamcatchers before the car moved past. Instead of Tatya, a tall blonde man stood behind the counter serving customers. From the information Fabio gave him, he knew this was Eva's partner, Jimmy. Tatya had achieved a great deal; a thriving shop, an expanding online business, and a brand new center offering a range of alternative therapies free to the poorest. He sought to activate his bond with her and picked up a faint response. He took comfort in the knowledge that wherever she was, at least she was alive.
The fence around the yard behind the shop was new. As Vanse opened the back door, he saw the alpha pack leader and tribal shaman waiting for him on the porch. The last time he'd seen this small yard Tatya had barely started clearing the weeds. Now the space was organized into raised beds filled with plants. Some were well established, and others were planted with young herbs, seeded and grown in the small greenhouse. Yes, Tatya had been busy indeed.
As Vanse approached, Forked Lightning entered the kitchen. This too had changed little and as memories of Tatya surfaced, he swallowed.
"So, what's the offer?" Forked Lightning stared at the vampire, his face devoid of emotion.
Vanse had lost many beloved family members over the centuries and knew something of grief. "I know nothing I say will give you peace of mind, but I offer you the opportunity for revenge."
Forked Lightning's eyes glinted with interest. "Go on."
"But I'm asking a favor in return."
The werewolf alpha and the vampire master regarded each other in silence. The doorbell at the front of the shop tinkled, and they heard Jimmy welcoming a customer.
"Don't worry, he won't come back here while we're talking. Tell me what you're putting on the table, and I'll tell you if I'm interested. Take a seat. Coffee?"
If Vanse was surprised, he didn't let it show. "Yes, strong, black and no sugar." As Forked Lightning poured the coffee, Vanse spoke. "Serkan and I share the same maker."
Forked Lightning froze for a second at the mention of his wife's killer, then carried the two cups of coffee over to the sofa. His hands shook slightly as he put the cups down on the small table.
"I assure you, however, that Angelus has many offspring, but he strips most of the power to walk in the day, except for special circumstances. I was his first, and his intention at the time was to kill me. However, he had no understanding of the laws governing our species, and despite being linked—as you well know—he's never been able to command me the way he does those who are bonded to him. As far as I can ascertain, I must have thousands of half-brothers like Serkan."
"And this is relevant how?" Forked Lightning sipped his coffee, eyeing Vanse over the rim of his cup.
"It means I am able to locate him. Then I shall deliver him to you."
"Well, that's an offer I can't resist. What's the price?"
"I want you to help me find Tatya."
"I already tried and got slammed back into my body. That's when I saw the knife in your chest had loosened."
"All I'm asking is that you make the attempt with me. I will not blame you if we fail, but I want the chance to try."
"How will another attempt be any different from what I already tried?"
"Once before, I joined with Changing Sky to fight Angelus. This time you and I will join. Both of us already have links to Tatya, and together we may be able to save her."
Chapter Seventeen: Hope
Tatya sat on the cold floor of the dank dark cell waiting for Nepta.
The little imp, her eyes flicking constantly to the warden at the end of the corridor, had brought the drugged rations earlier, disposing of them afterward with the prisoners’ waste. She’d given a hurried promised to return later with un-drugged food and fresh water.
Despite the dim light, Tatya had seen the bruises coloring the imp’s face and neck. Thanks to Nepta, her mind was alert, her thoughts clear, but with the small amounts of food she ate, she wondered if she possessed the strength to run if the opportunity to escape came along. But at least her existence no longer comprised living in a drugged stupor, and she was grateful for small mercies. She closed her eyes and searched for the golden link. Yesterday, just for an instant, a brilliant burst of light had lit up her heart, and she caught a glimpse of a luminous chain before it dimmed and faded. Afterward, the light flared several more times, but its radiance had been muted. She'd tried to follow the chain’s gentle glow, but something blocked the way. She wished she understood what the link meant, but its presence was comforting, familiar, and strengthened her desire to resist Angelus’s demands.
The flap opened, and the imp thrust her daily ration of un-drugged bread and water into the cell.
"I can't thank you enough—"
"Shh! She will awake soon." The ‘she’ the imp referred to was the troll with the keys who ruled this level of the dungeon. Once the prisoners were fed, she dozed for a short while giving the imp a small window without supervision. "I'm late because I had to run errands for her. I have no choice but to obey her or else she punishes me, but I'm working on a plan."
Tatiana heard the quiver in her voice. The imp might have courage, but judging by the marks on her body, she was no match for the fearsome guard. "Why are you risking yourself for me?"
"Angelus has taken everything from me. I live at his whim. The last time that monster pleased him, he asked her what she wanted. She asked for me to be her slave. If the only thing I have is my life, and I can use it against either of them, I’ll grab that chance with both hands." Her sharp teeth gleamed in the dull light, as she smiled at the thought of revenge.
After Nepta left, Tatya lay on the bare pallet, wondering about what her life had been before here. She wouldn't even know her name if the demon hadn't used it. At some point in her musing she fell asleep, thinking of the golden chain.
"Tatya! Tatya! Wake up!"
Her eyes flew open, and the second she saw him, the gaping hole in her memory filled with knowledge. "Otakay!" A rush of images flooded her mind: the black-haired, golden-skinned vampire she’d fallen in love with lying beneath her with the dagger in his chest; the alpha werewolf and shaman, Forked Lightning, whom she considered a brother, smiling at his pregnant wife. Aunt Lil, Sean, Bill and Winona, Eva and Jimmy, the Bandrui, Otakay, her spirit guide, who had saved her from the demon more than once. Along with many more, because she gave a little piece of herself to her patients every time she healed. She loved all of them. How could she have forgotten them? Her shoulders shook as tears flowed down her face. "How did you find me?"
"Forked Lightning attempted to trace the path your spirit took, but I know now that Angelus placed wards to prevent him. Changing Sky has moved onto a higher plane, but Meooquanee, Qaletaqa, and myself are connected, and when they contacted me, I followed my connection to you. Changing Sky charged me with the sacred duty of protecting you, but I have other responsibilities and cannot be always by your side."
Her link to Vanse flared with light, and they both gazed at it, mesmerized as it pulsed bright with energy, then grew faint and vanished. Her heart beat faster as her blood sang with joyous recognition. The bond was active, if intermittent, and soothed her worst fear. "How is he?"
"I can tell you there has been a change, but to what extent he has recovered I don't know. Finding you came first, and this place was tricky for me to locate. Gaining entrance took longer than I anticipated."
The Kala Trilogy: An Urban Fantasy Box Set Page 56