Immortal Consequences

by Steven Sterup

  “If you say complicated,” she warned.

  “I was going to say dangerous,” he corrected.

  Elyssa looked at Bree and grinned.

  “Guilty as charged,” she said.

  “But you’re a gargoyle. You wouldn’t hurt me, right?” Bree asked.

  “I’m a vampire,” Elyssa said and her teeth slid into place. They looked more vicious than Kal’s teeth. They were longer and, although Bree was probably imagining this part, they looked sharper.

  Bree scooted away quickly to one side of the couch and Elyssa laughed.

  “You’re perfectly safe. For one,” she started and looked at Kal. “My little brother would rip the teeth out of my head if I hurt you. I can smell it on him. He loves you. And for two. I don’t hurt humans any more. Little brother’s idea.”

  “It wasn’t exactly my idea,” Kal said.

  “Your’s and father’s,” Elyssa said and Bree could see the sadness on both of their faces as their eyes locked and a secret was shared, one Bree was not a part of.

  “What was that look for?” Bree asked.

  Kal looked at the floor and, although Elyssa looked just as uncomfortable, she spoke.

  “Our older brother, Rasheed, killed our father.” Then another look came over Elyssa, a look of pride. “But Kal killed him.”

  “So why don’t you hurt human’s anymore? Let’s get back to that,” Bree said. She knew there was more to the story of Rasheed but it didn’t look like either of them were in the mood to talk about it.

  “Damn. I see why Kal can’t take his eyes off you,” Elyssa said with a laugh. She looked at Kal and smiled. “She’s got a spine. She just found out you’re a gargoyle, your sister’s a vampire and she just keeps on asking questions.”

  Kal smiled to hide his embarrassment.

  “Well. About four hundred years ago. Kal and dad came up with an idea. They decided that hurting humans wasn’t necessary. It was cruel. We could just as easily survive off blood that was given voluntarily. Some vampires, including my brother, saw this as blasphemy. I mean really? Blasphemy? Do humans go around worshiping hamburgers? It’s blood. It’s just food. If there is a better, more efficient, way to procure it then why not do it? Someday we might even be able to come out in the open and live at peace with humans.” Elyssa looked very sure of herself and it put Bree at ease.

  “So how many vampires believe what you believe?” Bree asked.

  Elyssa looked a little concerned but she answered anyway.

  “Not enough,” Elyssa replied.

  “That reminds me,” Kal said, his look turning cross. “Why were you at my door after nearly four hundred years?”

  “Damn. I almost forgot. The smell of a pregnant woman threw me for a loop. It smelled like you and her. I needed to make sure.” Elyssa looked at Bree with kindness. “Congratulations. That baby is one of a kind.”

  Bree’s rage returned and caught Kal off guard.

  “See. I didn’t cheat on you!” Bree said angrily.

  “He accused you of cheating on him?” Elyssa asked with amusement. When Bree nodded Elyssa looked at Kal. “You’ll have to excuse my little brother. He’s not very good with women.”

  “How many have there been?” Bree asked and gave Kal a devious look.

  Kal looked frightened and cornered. This was getting out of control.

  “Should I tell her?” Elyssa asked Kal with a grin.

  “Don’t El,” Kal begged.

  Bree crossed her arms and looked at Kal but spoke to Elyssa.

  “Please El. Do tell,” Bree said while raising her eyebrows and grinning from ear to ear.

  Elyssa looked at Bree with all seriousness and waited until Bree was looking back at her.

  “One,” Elyssa said.

  “One?” Bree asked, astounded. “He’s over two thousand years old and there was only one?”

  “El, come on,” Kal begged once more.

  “Who was she?” Bree asked, ignoring her husband’s pleas.

  “That’s the thing,” Elyssa said and grinned devilishly at her brother. “The one is you.”

  “Really?” Bree asked with astonishment.

  “Yep. I mean, he’s not a monk. I’m sure he’s had sex but never a girlfriend and certainly not a wife,” Elyssa stated.

  “Can we please get back to why you’re here?” Kal asked but it sounded more like begging to the two women.

  “Ok. Before Bree and I get to talking about all the embarrassing moments in your life I do need to tell you why I’m here.” Elyssa winked at Bree and Bree smiled.

  “Well?” Kal asked impatiently.

  “Mom has been getting wind of a very old vampire. One as old as we are. This vampire wants to get rid of all human sympathizers.” She paused for a moment then stared at Kal and he knew what she was going to say before she said it. “He, specifically, wants to hurt you.”

  “What do you mean hurt me?” Kal asked.

  “You’re not just a sympathizer. You’re Kal. The one who started it all. If he can hurt you, not just kill you but hurt you first. Then, in his mind, it will prove that the old ways are better. It might even prove it to the others, ones that aren’t so fond of humans. Kal. It’s the start of a civil war.” Elyssa looked at her little brother with compassion.

  Kal laughed and seemed to take this news very well. He even looked relieved.

  “Well, my first thought was wrong at least,” he said.

  “Wait. You thought it was me?” Elyssa asked. She looked a little hurt by his assumption.

  “You or mom,” Kal admitted.

  “I took your side all those years ago. How could you even think that?” Elyssa asked.

  “I haven’t even spoken to you in centuries. I thought you were…I don’t know…mad at me?” Kal asked.

  Elyssa stood up and put her hands on her hips. Suddenly Kal was struck by an uncomfortable truth. His big sister was just like his wife, perhaps the other way around, but still. Had he picked out a wife because she had his sister’s personality? It didn’t change the way he felt about Bree but it was something that deserved a little thought…then again, perhaps it was better not to dwell on it too much. He loved Bree for Bree. The similarities to his sister were undeniable but it was still Bree he was in love with.

  “We’ve been governing two hundred vampires. Just because we’re busy doesn’t mean we’re mad at you,” Elyssa said angrily. “Besides. You didn’t bother coming home, now did you? You fought Rasheed then just left. Is a phone call too much to ask for? You didn’t even bother to find out what we thought…you just left.” The discomfort in her eyes worried Kal. He had seen his sister upset many times but this looked different.

  “To be fair, there weren’t phones back then,” Kal said with a grin, trying to hide his guilt. “And I had just killed our brother. What was I supposed to think?”

  “It’s clear you didn’t think. Those are just excuses,” Elyssa said and she started to grin.

  Bree stood up and Kal was outnumbered.

  “Why don’t you run out and get us some supper while El and I talk?” Bree asked, but it was more of a command and Kal knew it.

  “What would you like?” Kal groveled. The full weight of all the stupid things he’d said this evening and all the mistakes he’d made had yet to be counted. Groveling and doing everything Bree said was the best way to convince her to forgive at least some of them.

  “Oh. You know what I’m dying for?” Elyssa asked.

  “I’m not getting you blood,” Kal said.

  “Don’t be daft. I’d never ask you for blood,” Elyssa said. “You’d probably faint or puke.” Elyssa laughed then went on. “I walked by a Greek restaurant about two blocks before I got here. I can’t get that smell out of my head.”

  “You can eat real food?” Bree asked.

  “Of course. Can you imagine what it would be like if your taste buds and sense of smell were ten times more sensitive? Human food is amazing! What am I saying? You’re carrying hi
s baby. In about a month you’ll know exactly what I mean.” Elyssa smiled and Kal took this as a sign that he should get out while he still could.

  As Kal headed to the door Elyssa stopped him.

  “Skip the wine,” Elyssa said.

  “Ok,” Kal replied. He looked at Bree and she looked back with a look that solidified the idea that the punishment for his mistakes had not even begun.

  “None for you either. I don’t get wine. You don’t get wine,” Bree said sternly.

  “Yes, dear,” Kal replied then headed out the door.

  After Kal was gone both women laughed then sat on the couch.

  “Damn, I guess what they say is true,” Elyssa said.

  “What’s that?” Bree asked.

  “Take the strongest, most stubborn man in the world. Put him in front of a woman and he will melt like butter,” Elyssa stated.

  “I suppose,” Bree said, thinking back on the start of the evening. Kal had accused her of cheating on him and it had hurt more than she was willing to admit.

  “But it has to be the right woman,” Elyssa said. “Believe me. You’re the right woman for Kal.”

  “I hope so,” Bree said.

  “I know so. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s terrified,” Elyssa explained.

  “Of me?” Bree asked.

  “Not like that. He’s not afraid of you. He’s terrified that you’ll realize he isn’t good enough for you,” Elyssa said. She raised her eyebrows then grinned.

  Elyssa’s clever words made Bree feel better and the rest of the evening, even after Kal returned with their food, was spent talking about the baby and about the many life times of Kal. Kal, the slayer of vampires. Kal, the scourge of the bloodthirsty. The man even ancient vampires feared. And Kal, the man afraid of a woman half his size. Of all the foes he had faced in his lifetimes, her leaving was the one thing he feared the most.

  Chapter 4

  In the morning Kal drove his black sedan while Bree sat in the passenger seat. Elyssa had left a little after three in the morning to head back home and talk to their mother. Kal, of course, slept on the couch.

  “You sure you want to see a human doctor?” Kal asked.

  “Where were you born?” Bree asked. Not only had Elyssa helped her cope with her new situation, Bree had completely accepted her new life.

  “Egypt,” Kal replied.

  “Where at?” Bree asked.

  “A small village. It didn’t even have a name,” Kal replied.

  “Where does your mother live?” Bree asked.

  “Cairo,” Kal replied.

  “That’s where El was going?” Bree asked.

  “Yes,” Kal replied. “You sure you want to see a human doctor?” Kal asked again.

  Again Bree ignored the question.

  “How many gargoyles are there? I mean in total.” Bree had a strong desire to completely understand everything.

  “I think there are like ten or eleven, counting me,” Kal answered.

  “So, it’s rare when a gargoyle is born?” Bree asked.

  “Yes,” Kal answered. “What if the doctor sees something funny? What if the blood tests come back and he realizes there’s something different?”

  Bree continued to ignore Kal’s questions.

  “So your assumption that you couldn’t get me pregnant was based on a pool of ten people? I think that’s a little short sided don’t you think?” Bree asked.

  “I see what you mean,” Kal replied with guilt.

  “So you might say that your other assumption. The one where you accused me of cheating on you was also short sided?” Bree asked.

  “No,” Kal stated.

  “No?” Bree asked and Kal could see how hurt she was but he knew what he was doing this time.

  “No. It wasn’t short sided. It was stupid, plain and simple. I was just stupid,” Kal said.

  Bree smiled at his admission.

  “And to answer your question. I’m going to tell the doctor I will only consent to an ultrasound. No blood tests. Religious beliefs and that kind of thing.” Bree leaned back and crossed her arms.

  “Ok,” Kal replied. He wasn’t quite sure how else to answer.

  “What about sunlight? Crosses? Holy water?” Bree asked as she leaned forward and looked at Kal curiously.

  “None of it is real. Made up by humans to help them sleep at night,” Kal explained.

  “Then how do you kill a vampire?” Bree asked. “You’re the great vampire hunter.”

  “El exaggerates,” Kal said with a laugh.

  “So you’re not the most feared gargoyle in the world?” Bree asked with a grin.

  “That’s not fair,” Kal said. “You already know the answer to that.”

  “So El doesn’t exaggerate,” Bree said with a self-satisfied smile.

  Kal ignored her comments and decided to answer her question.

  “Shoot or stab them in the heart or the head. You can also remove their head,” Kal explained.

  “What about drowning? Suffocation? Bleeding to death?” Bree asked.

  “Yes. Anything that would stop a vampire’s heart from pumping blood. Although they can hold their breath a long time and bleeding to death would be difficult. Vampires heal very fast,” Kal replied.

  “So what can kill a gargoyle?” Bree asked.

  “Why? You planning on getting rid of your insensitive husband?” he asked in reply.

  “Just wanting to know how likely it is that this ancient vampire will kill my husband,” Bree said. She was serious and worried.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ve lived a long time. It will take more than an ancient vampire to kill me off,” Kal laughed.

  Bree stared at him angrily and crossed her arms again.

  “So help me if you lie to me or even hide anything from me again. I’ll leave,” she threatened.

  “Ok, I’m sorry,” he pleaded. “They can kill me the same way but if I’m a gargoyle it’s a lot harder. You felt my skin. I’m pretty tough to kill.”

  Kal could see the hospital a few blocks ahead. Traffic was bumper to bumper but they would be there in a few minutes. He turned to Bree and smiled.

  “Anything else you want to ask before we are surrounded by nosey humans?” he asked with a smirk.

  “Hey now. I am one of those humans,” she chastised.

  “Yes but…” he started.

  Then, as he turned his head to catch Bree’s lovely smile, a smaller car came flying toward the intersection at Bree’s door. A car was right in front of them and one behind them. There was no where he could go. Without a second thought Kal threw himself on top of Bree and transformed. He encircled her with his arms as the car smashed into theirs. Their car slid sideways along the street until it hit a garbage truck that was waiting to turn. Kal’s car was sandwiched between them. When everything came to a halt Kal shifted back to human form and frantically grabbed Bree’s face.

  “Are you alright?!” he yelled.

  “I’m fine,” Bree smiled up at him. “A little shaken but Kal the Destroyer is my husband.”

  Kal couldn’t help but smile back then he scolded her.

  “No one ever called me that.” He still couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw the vampire again. He quickly searched the car that had smashed into them but there was no driver. This wasn’t an accident. The vampire, whom he still hadn’t seen clearly, had thrown the car at them. Kal remembered the words Bree had said to him only moments ago. She wanted no more secrets.

  “This wasn’t an accident,” Kal stated.

  “What?” Bree asked and her smile vanished. Her brow furrowed and she looked at the car that had hit them then back at Kal, begging for answers.

  “The vampire threw that car at us,” Kal said.

  “Seriously? They can do that?” Bree asked.

  “If I can throw a car, he can. Or she,” Kal corrected. He still wasn’t sure if it was a man or a woman he had seen. The way
the vampire moved was quick and strange. Both times he and only seen it for a second at most.

  “You can throw a car?” Bree asked. The mixture of pride and surprise on her face felt good but her safety was more important.

  “Hold on,” Kal said then started pushing Bree’s door. Soon the metal screamed in agony and the door’s hinges broke. It fell to the ground with a loud crash as the car pinned against it was pushed backward then Kal stepped out and picked up Bree.

  “You ARE strong,” she commented.

  Kal was about to take off after the vampire when the police arrived, followed by an ambulance. There were too many humans and it was the middle of the day. He would have to wait. The vampire had planned this out but how? How did it know they would be at this intersection? His thoughts returned to his sister. She had known where they were going in the morning and only her. It was possible the vampire had followed them but it was much more likely that it had known beforehand.

  Kal leaned in and whispered to Bree as the paramedics were approaching.

  “Only Elyssa knew where we were going,” he said quietly.

  “It’s not her Kal,” Bree urged.

  “How can you be so sure?” Kal asked.

  “A feeling. Besides, she called your mother as she was leaving last night. What if someone was listening in?” Bree asked. She looked up at Kal and the expression told him that he was on the verge of making another huge mistake. Accusing his sister, really accusing her, would be yet another moment he could never take back.

  “Before I go doing something stupid again we’ll go with your theory,” he said with a grin.

  As Bree was about to commend him for his choice the paramedics started shouting anxiously.

  “Are you alright?! Sir, can you put her down?!” one of them shouted.

  Kal obliged and set his wife on the ground. It took nearly five minutes to convince the men that they were fine. Despite this, both Kal and Bree were compelled to ride in the ambulance the three blocks to the hospital.

  Chapter 5

  Kal sat nervously on the exam table while he waited for the doctor to come in. He and Bree had been separated when they arrived. It had been over an hour and Kal’s nerves were shot.