by C. L. Quinn
After setting the kettle on, she glanced up when a gentle knock on her door interrupted as she reached for a canister of cocoa.
Her eyes went to the clock. “Three am?” She placed the canister on the counter and started toward the door.
“Only one person this would be at this time of day.”
She paused just before she flipped the catch to let him in and looked up. “Destiny, you’re one vicious bitch,” she said softly, and pulled the door wide.
Nikolai tilted his head and smiled. “Hi, lovely lady. We are here to apologize.”
“I know. Come on in.”
Once again, Nikolai’s giant vampire body filled her apartment. She realized that she had watched his every movement as she closed the door.
“I was just going to make some sweet cocoa with a mountain of whipped cream. I don’t even have to ask if you’re interested.”
“Never. Make mine as large as you can. Vampire appetite, you know.”
“Boy, do I.”
“We agree, by the way.”
Pulling down a second much larger mug, Sarah looked up. “You agree?”
“Destiny. She’s a nasty and creative bitch at times.”
Nikolai grinned as he lowered himself onto her sofa.
“Vampire hearing, too.”
“Yeah. I could never sneak up on Xavier. Even as a child, I’d try, and back then I was as light and quick as a fairy, but still I couldn’t pull it off. Once, he tried to pretend like he was surprised, but I caught him at it, and I remember telling him that I would never want to win that way. If it wasn’t a real accomplishment, it was useless.”
“You’ve been good at everything you’ve ever done, haven’t you?”
“No. But I’ve been pretty great at anything I really wanted because I knew that if you work hard enough, you can usually achieve anything you want.”
“Mies, you hear that? We’re in the right place with the right warrior.”
Silence followed as Sarah watched to see if Mies emerged. She was thankful that he didn’t. That kiss in the hospital still burned in her mind and she didn’t trust herself with him right now.
“Here, Nik, let me get that cocoa to you. Are you heading back to your hotel tonight?”
“I think so. Your bathroom floor is, ah, a bit small for this body.”
Those eyes that kept betraying her did so again as they went immediately to his chest and below, lingered where they shouldn’t.
Nikolai stood suddenly. “Sarah, if you keep looking at me like that, Mies will come out.”
“Shit! I know. I’m sorry. Sit back down, enjoy your cocoa. I have something I want to go over with you.” She rolled her eyes. “With both of you.”
Cautious, Nikolai took his seat again as Sarah scooted the large mug she’d placed on the table beside the sofa closer to him. A tower of curling white foam caught his eye immediately.
“I’m sorry, but I just needed to cool the two of you off a little.” After taking a sip, a white mustache on his upper lip, which Nikolai licked off, he finished his statement. “You both run really hot.”
“We aren’t going to act on it, though. Look, I’ve done some research while I’ve been waiting. I had Tamesine send me the entire written history that we extricated from that magical tube that was buried with Mies’s people at the gravesite. Luckily, she’d already made translated copies. So I’m familiar with basic elements of the lifestyles of the period, and the disease that ultimately sickened and killed them.”
Sarah leaned over to reach a tablet computer lying on the table where she and Nikolai’s drinks were.
Lifting back, she looked into his eyes, only it was no longer Nikolai.
“Tell me what you’ve discovered,” Mies asked politely.
After a curt nod, Sarah handed him the top page.
“Your people had everything covered up until the contagion. Good lives that you shared with everyone. You were fair and kind with other supernaturals as well as humans. I’m impressed with how lovely you all were. It appeared that the universe gave with both hands when it came to your race.”
“We were very happy. When we began to die, and realized that we could not stop it, the tragedy was so deep, hearts so broken, that even if we had survived, I’m not sure we would ever have recovered.”
“I understand, Mies. I got a great sense of your community as I read the pages your people left behind. You had a beautiful life and the loss was unmeasurable.”
As she paused, her eyes lingered on his. What was it about this man that touched her so deeply? She had known numerous first blood men and none of them had ever had this intense effect on her.
In spite of her determination not to engage in a personal relationship with this ancient vampire, she still reached to him, her fingers finding his, a thrill hitting her belly when he curled them around hers without hesitation.
“We’ll fix this, my friends.”
Suddenly aware how easily that simple touch could evolve into more touching, she slipped her fingers from his quickly. Back to business, she reminded herself.
“So, here’s what I think may be what we are looking for in these pages as they pertain to what we need to do. There is a section where the author of the pages…”
“Brio,” Mies said suddenly.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Brio. He was our scribe. He wrote the pages. The magic he bore was a connection to the universe beyond any of the other vampires.”
“Okay. Well, Brio tells of the gifts and magic that the universe gave to your people. He said that you were all born of blood of the earth and the sky. It got me thinking that if you were born of the blood of the earth and sky, why couldn’t you tap into the magic of the earth and sky? Think about it. If what is stated in those pages is true, you may already have the power that you need to fix this. You just have to know how to wield it and make it do what you need it to do.”
“It’s been centuries since I have used my gifts. When I was here before, they did not include a direct connection to the mother planet or the sky above her. Honestly, I’m not even sure what my talent may be now. Or if I even have one.”
“It will take a special talent to do this. Mies, we need to contact the first bloods who live in this time. They are really good people who are not only talented, but kind and empathic. I know of two who have direct links to both the spiritual realm and the power of the earth. They will help.”
“There is a danger in that, Sarah. I explained to Nikolai that if those who put us here, who have a mission for us in this body as we are right now, discover we seek to destroy the merge, they might stop us. Finding aid in those who receive their power from the universe may be an irreversible mistake.”
“I don’t think so. Mies, trust me, these people have accomplished remarkable things and they would not turn you in. In fact, I can guarantee they will be just as horrified as you are that the universe has done this to you and Nikolai. It’s your choice, of course. I won’t presume to make this decision without your consent. You would have to be compliant anyway for this to work. Why don’t you and Nikolai think about it and let me know?”
“You do not believe that there are any other options?”
Lost in the depth of his eyes, Sarah forced herself to pay attention.
“I don’t think so. This merge is sanctioned, designed, by powers that rule the way the planets move, tell the stars when to shine and when to die. You need magic, real universally-charged magic, to undo this deed. Too bad you don’t have your spirit amulet.”
“I have my spirit amulet.”
“What? You do? How?”
“Before we left the caverns, Nikolai placed it around his neck. It is what alerted me that something had happened. It is what brought him to me on the spirit plane.”
“Wow. Okay, then, in that case, perhaps I do have another idea.” Sarah’s mind raced now, aware that the spirit amulet that rode with any first blood through their life, and now apparently beyond, could t
ap into the primal powers of the universe. It may be all that they would need to find a way to reverse this odd and cruel fate.
“We can try using the amulet, and your power as it is enhanced by it, to change this event. But Mies, there is much to discuss before we seriously consider proceeding. Between me and you, between Nikolai and myself, and between Nikolai and you. We have to think about the consequences of this action. Even if it works, how might this end? What I mean is, what will happen to you two? Will you still exist on this plane if we succeed? On any plane? Will Nikolai? And if we can reverse this, if you both remain present, how can that work? Where would you go if Nik gets his body back? Once Nikolai has his body back, what will become of you, Mies? I don’t have any answers to those questions. It’s a lot to consider if we pursue this.”
“Little doctor, we have already run the scenarios. Nikolai and I have long come to terms with how this might be once we unravel our merged lives. What we know is that we cannot live this way, neither of us. So, the results? Yes, we have no idea who may live or die, or if there is a way for both to survive. All we know with any surety is that we must try.”
She couldn’t move. All Sarah wanted at that moment was to memorize Mies’s face, his eyes, those lips she’d experience only once, his expression of calm acceptance. He and Nikolai were both remarkable men and she couldn’t imagine losing either one of them.
“I’ll do all that I can to keep either of you from being swallowed by this cursed universal mistake.”
The eyes that mesmerized her softened. With no warning, he surged forward and slid his hands up her arms.
“It is a cursed event, but I wouldn’t call it a mistake.”
One hand moved to her cheek, the fingers sliding across her skin to caress her jawline. “I wouldn’t have met you if they hadn’t sent me back. And I wouldn’t have wanted to miss you.”
He undid her. Sarah had never felt this kind of attachment to anyone.
“Mies, I will save you. And I’ll save Nikolai.”
He stood and walked to the door.
“Our heroine and warrior. I believe that you will. I must go now. If I stay another minute, I’ll have you underneath me in seconds. Once I do, I’ll ask permission, and you won’t say no. So to honor your wish to avoid that, I’ll leave. This is the most difficult part of our journey together, that I want you so badly and I cannot have you.”
Sarah’s mouth dropped. When she spoke a second later, she stuttered at first. “Mies. Uh, I…I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“I know. And I also know that you feel the same way. You want me, and you are miserable because you feel that you cannot have me.”
He was right. No matter how badly she wanted to be able to refute it, he was right.
The silver swirls in Mie’s smoky eyes had increased, more mesmerizing than usual. “It’s all right, little doctor. I understand your reasoning because you are not mistaken. Once we make love, you will never want another man. I warn you, though. I plan to be utterly charming and ridiculously sexy, so guard yourself well.”
As he was speaking, he slowly pulled the tee shirt over his head. “This is yours, Sarah. I will sleep with no other until it is you.” His right hand curled against his swollen crotch.
She shot off the sofa. “No, Mies! Don’t do that, don’t wait for me. I can’t, I mean it.” After a pause, she sighed, a decision made. “Sleep with someone tonight. Pick a fascinating woman and fuck her until you both are satisfied. Or I’ll give Naji a call and you can send Nikolai over to her.”
Funny how the idea of Nikolai with Naji didn’t bother her, but the idea of Mies finding a gorgeous woman and giving her the orgasm of her life…hurt.
“No. Only you. Good night, doctor.”
Mies used air displacement to disappear and Sarah knew he was likely already on the next street and close to his hotel room. She fell back onto the sofa.
Oh, God, what had she gotten herself into? The vampire had challenged her and she knew that if he pushed it, even a small amount, she would attack him and he’d be inside of her in seconds.
“And I want him to be,” she whispered to the still air in the apartment as she sat alone. After another several minutes, she pushed up from the cushion.
“Hot chocolate. Now. Later, I’ll deal with the hot vampire and my own crazy sex drive.”
A chime interrupted, and as she pulled a clean mug from the cabinet, she glanced at the face of her cell phone.
“Leo,” she said. “Sorry, buddy, I can only deal with one lothario at a time.”
She let it go to voicemail.
Mies kept control of the body as they slowed from the inhuman pace to normal speed. He was still smiling.
I can’t believe you said that to her. You told her that you wouldn’t honor her wishes.
I told her that she would ask me to make love to her when the time came. And she will.
The woman has a sharp mind and a will of iron. She will not do anything she doesn’t want to do.
Mies lifted his eyes to the stars that he could not see, the smile deeper.
That won’t be a problem.
Eight
“Tamesine, hi, it’s Sarah. I got the transcripts, thanks.”
Sarah sat on the arm of her sofa, nervous, although she didn’t know why. Tamesine was considered one of the most powerful of first bloods, but she was also one of the gentlest women she’d ever met. Still, she had to ask questions that might cause Tamesine to respond with her own questions.
“Good. I assume you’re doing some further research? You saved my daughter, my race, and perhaps the world, so I hope you find what you’re looking for. Will you let me know if you do? How are you? How’s Xavier?”
Tamesine’s beautifully-cadenced voice travelled well through the phone lines. Sarah remembered being a little smitten with her when she was in France with Tamesine and the other first bloods who lived on a high cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.
“I’m sure that he is well. I’m not in Paris, Tamesine, I’m in Boston. In the U.S. I live here now.”
“How can that…oh. You aren’t blood-bonded anymore.”
“No, I’m not. Xavier was kind enough to release me from my responsibility to his stronghold. I’m human now. Completely.”
“Ah. I hope that you are happy.”
“I am. But I’ve a complication and it involves your world. May I ask some questions?”
“Sarah, of course you may. Any question at any time. You saved Dez, I would give you the world.”
“How about the universe?”
“That’s an intriguing request. Please continue.”
Hesitating, Sarah cleared her throat. “Tam, you will understand if I tell you that, at this time, I can’t divulge any details, right?”
“My past is perfect proof that there are times when you must have faith in someone. I trust you, Sarah. What do you need to know?”
“Your amulets. How do they work, exactly? Is there a way to access them? To, uh, use the power for a specific purpose. Believe me when I say that the thing which I inquire about will require a great deal of power.”
“You do not disappoint.”
For several moments, Tamesine was quiet. Sarah could almost hear her thinking about how much she should divulge to Sarah, who, technically, had no link to the vampire world anymore. Finally she spoke again.
“Sarah, the amulets are direct links between the first blood and the universe. It draws its power from all life, from the earth and sky, and ultimately, from that which is beyond heaven. That power is channeled to the first blood to which the amulet is bonded. This bond is lifelong, and will never die, even when the vampire does.”
“I know.” Distracted, as soon as Sarah made the comment, she realized that it was a mistake.
“You know,” Tamesine repeated quietly. After another pause, her voice was calmer yet. “How would you know? Sarah, you need to tell me what you are playing with. The amulets are way beyond anything that you can
imagine. They can change the course of a life, of many lives, of the future. You cannot mess with something of such great power unless you understand the consequences of your actions.”
Another pause was interrupted by a quickly drawn breath before she began again. “Sarah, I do trust you, but I know that you have an overly sharp mind, that it is inconceivable to you that you can’t achieve something if you put your mind to it. I’m suggesting that whatever you are involved with, whatever you might need this information for, you would be wise to let our community help you.”
“I would love to do so. I suggested it to, well, the person who I am trying to help. He believes it would be more dangerous to involve your race because of your connection to the spiritual plane.”
“Oh, Sarah, you need to tell me what you are doing. Whoever this is, whatever he is asking of you, you must not do it unless we can be there to guide you. This is out of your league, dear. No offense, but humans should never be messing with first blood magics.”
“I couldn’t agree more. All I ask is that you trust me enough to know that when I need to call you and the others in, I will. I’ve promised these…this person that I’ll try first to deal with the situation. If I fail, if we get into trouble, I’ll call you immediately. But I need to try. Tam, this is a one-shot deal once I call you in, so please, can you accept that I do know what I am doing and that I know when to call you?”
Dead silence met Sarah as she held her breath, her cell phone so tight against her ear, her fingers ached.
Please, Tamesine, please, she prayed silently just as Tamesine answered her question.
“I really don’t know how to respond, so I’ll give in to my baser instincts and trust that you will do exactly as you have said. Whatever it is that you need to do that involves accessing the power of a first blood amulet, it is dangerous.”
“I understand and I accept the repercussions. So, accessing the amulet, how do I do it?”