by Rita Vetere
Nathaniel considered her words. “All right,” he said, finally. “I think I'll be able to convince Dr. Stronik to lay off medicating your friend. I can be very persuasive. A little gift I inherited from Ahriman."
Relieved that she may have found the help she needed, Carla said, “Okay, but there's no time to waste, you have to do it soon."
Nathaniel nodded. “I'll pay Stronik a visit tonight."
"Thank you,” Carla said. “I have to go now. It's not safe. They might notice we're both gone and come outside."
She could feel his eyes on her as she made her way quickly along the path back to the house. She tried not to get her hopes up, but her conversation with Nathaniel had left her feeling reassured. Despite his Cambion nature, something about him told her he could be trusted. She just hoped she wasn't making a fatal mistake.
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Chapter 34
Dinner that evening was an interminable affair, presided over by Ahriman. After two hours of listening to Christopher parroting every statement made by their father and hailing Ahriman as the second coming, it was all Thomas could do to keep his food down. He drank several glasses of Chardonnay in an effort to maintain his façade of enthusiasm for Ahriman's plans. The doctor, Stronik, remained silent throughout most of the meal, and the more Thomas studied him, the less he liked the strange-looking man—an emotionless fellow with humorless eyes. After probing Stronik's mind, he was not the least bit surprised to find the good doctor's involvement in Ahriman's scheme had not been as a result of being glamoured by Ahriman or Christopher. He had entered into the arrangement willingly, of his own accord. The vile man was stupid enough to believe that Christopher and Ahriman would reward him for his part in getting the new race underway.
Thomas had not yet had an opportunity to speak to Nathaniel alone since his brother's rendezvous with the woman earlier. When he felt it would be safe to do so without arousing suspicion, Thomas cited tiredness and a little too much wine, and excused himself to retire to his suite.
Twenty minutes later, he heard a tap on his door, and Nathaniel entered.
"What happened? Did she show up?"
After Nathaniel recounted what the woman, who was named Carla, had told him, Thomas asked, “Do you really think it's wise to enlist help from the female Cambion? How can we be sure she's not thrown her lot in with Ahriman?” The very fact that a female Cambion even existed made him wary. How had she managed to survive when none of the others had? At the same time, the thought of having a sister he knew nothing about intrigued him to no end.
"For heaven's sake, Thomas, if what Carla told me is true, she's being drugged and held hostage. Does that sound like she's a willing participant in all this?"
"I suppose not,” Thomas conceded. “But what good will talking to her do? What can she possibly do that we can't?"
Nathaniel paused. “I don't know,” he said, finally. “But we can't just go around killing babies before we've exhausted every other option."
True enough. Like his brother, Thomas had concluded that destroying Pandora would put an end to Ahriman's immortality. Yet, in his all-too-human heart, he knew that neither he nor Nathaniel would be able to take the life of an innocent child. Not for any reason. “All right,” said Thomas. “Where's Stronik now?"
"In his room,” Nathaniel said. “Alone.” After a moment, he got up. “Wish me luck."
"You won't need it, brother” replied Thomas. “You can glamour anyone, and you know it."
* * * *
Nathaniel gave Thomas a wry smile before he exited the room. Once in the corridor, he shut the door quietly behind him. Ahriman and Christopher were cloistered in Ahriman's suite down the hall to the left; he could hear their muffled voices as he stepped out the door. He turned right, making his way silently along the second floor hallway. When he arrived at the door nearest the staircase, he knocked softly and waited, praying that Christopher or Ahriman would not choose this moment to exit and spot him. A moment later, the door in front of him swung open. The doctor eyed him in surprise.
"Dr. Stronik, a word with you, if I may,” Nathaniel said, stepping over the threshold and closing the door behind him.
"Yes? What is it?"
Nathaniel stared into the eyes of the doctor, until his gruff expression changed, replaced by one of confusion.
"It's about the female Cambion."
"Yes?” The doctor spoke as if in a trance.
"The medication you're administering to her daily. You're to cease doing so immediately."
Nathaniel smiled inwardly. The man would present no problem. He was motivated by greed and the need for power, and Nathaniel would be able to plant appropriate images in the doctor's mind to correspond with his motivations.
"Yes, of course,” Stronik replied in a bland voice. “She'll receive no more of it."
"Very well, then. We're in agreement. You will be properly rewarded for your compliance."
Stronik's eyes shone in anticipation of the rewards which Nathaniel implanted in his mind.
"And you'll forget we ever had this conversation."
"What conversation?"
"Thank you, doctor. Please return to whatever you were doing."
Stronik smiled vacantly at him and returned to the book he'd been reading.
Nathaniel let himself out.
* * * *
"I don't trust them. Either of them,” Christopher said. “Why do you insist on them being a part of this?” he asked Ahriman, in a petulant voice. “They've never aspired to your ideals. Not the way I have."
Ahriman studied his favored son. Christopher had been nothing if not loyal to him. It was Christopher to whom he had entrusted the pendant on the day of Jasmine's betrayal, Christopher who had dutifully stepped in and prevented Jasmine from taking her own life. He had also found and employed the services of Stronik to assist him in spiriting Jasmine out of the country without arousing suspicion. He owed much to his son, and yet Ahriman felt nothing but disdain for him. Probing Christopher's mind, he detected the bitter jealousy that had motivated him to speak. His son was weak, still prone to the human emotions he had never quite managed to dispel. Such emotions served no purpose and made him vulnerable. Ahriman had no intention of allowing his son to influence his decisions.
Still, he decided Christopher might have a point. Although Thomas and Nathaniel had agreed to assist him, and he'd read nothing in their thoughts to the contrary, they'd not seemed as enthusiastic as he'd hoped over dinner. “I'll keep an eye on them,” Ahriman replied. “I'll know soon enough."
"Watch your back,” Christopher said.
Ahriman glared at him. He jumped from his chair and shoved Christopher against the wall, drilling into him with his eyes. “Don't forget your place, son,” he said, his voice icy. “You don't give me instructions. Ever."
The fear in Christopher's voice was palpable as Ahriman heard him say, “Of course not. I meant no disrespect, father."
Satisfied, Ahriman released him. He walked over to Pandora's crib. The sound of the scuffle had awoken her, and he lifted her from the crib and held her gently to him. “Get out,” he said to Christopher, his voice low. “I want to be alone with Pandora."
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Chapter 35
Two days following Nathaniel's visit to Dr. Stronik, Jasmine opened her eyes and glanced around the room. Something was different, although it took her a moment to understand what had changed. The confusion that normally clouded her thoughts seemed to have dissipated somewhat, and she felt more alert than she had since her arrival here. Then, she realized the reason. Dr. Stronik had left this morning without giving her an injection. Why? An inadvertent slip? She struggled to remember whether she'd been medicated yesterday, but could not. All she knew was that her mind seemed to function more normally. She felt physically stronger, as well. It took a lot of effort, and quite a bit of time, but she managed to sit up in bed on her own.
She closed her eyes, seek
ing out Sephora. After a moment, her breathing slowed and her body relaxed, as if asleep.
Something's changed. My mind feels clear. And I can move around better. I didn't receive any medication today, and maybe not yesterday, either. I don't know why, or for how long I'll continue this way. If there is something I need to know, Sephora, please, tell me now.
The gentle voice responded. Yes. If you are certain that you will be able to retain the knowledge and your body is strong enough to execute what must be done. You must be cautious, Sephora continued. The time to act must be of your choosing. Only you can decide when you are ready, for you will be afforded but one opportunity to attempt what it is you must do. Do not act prematurely, or you will bring disaster upon yourself.
I won't, Jasmine assured her. Tell me.
Sephora did.
* * * *
Late that afternoon, Jasmine pondered the information Sephora had imparted to her. As she considered the best way to execute her plan, she was startled by a tapping sound at her door, accompanied by an urgent whisper. “Jasmine. Jazzy, it's me, Carla. Can you hear me?"
Carla. She had heard her at the door several days ago, but had not been able to respond. The sound of her friend's voice sent a fresh surge of hope running through her.
"Yes,” she croaked, “I can hear you. Wait.” Jasmine managed to get to a sitting position again. She slid her legs off the bed and allowed her feet to dangle over the side. A wave of dizziness rolled over her. She had sat up too quickly, and stopped to allow the blackness that had crept into the edges of her vision to fade before continuing, not wanting to risk passing out.
"Jazz...” Carla whispered urgently through the door, “Listen, I don't have much time. Ahriman and Christopher are in the drawing room, but if one of them comes upstairs and catches me, I'm toast. Can you hear me?"
Jasmine got to her feet on weak legs and held on to the side of the bed as she made her way carefully to the footboard. “I hear you,” she said. “Hold on, I'm almost there.” This was taking too long. She got on her hands and knees and crawled the rest of the way to the door. Once there, she sat down heavily, her cheek resting against the rough wood of the door. “I'm here,” she said, running her hand along the door, as if, by doing so, she could feel her friend on the other side of it.
"Listen,” Carla said. “I can't stay long, but I wanted to tell you I've gotten us some help. Ahriman's sons, Thomas and Nathaniel."
Jasmine snatched her hand back from the door at Carla's words. Ahriman's sons? “No,” she whispered vehemently through the closed door. “Don't trust them. They're like Christopher, Carla, he's one of them—"
"I know,” her friend interrupted. “I know everything, Jazzy. I know what Christopher is, and what Ahriman has planned ... and I know about you too,” she added, “that you're a Cambion."
Jasmine swallowed hard. Did Carla feel differently about her, now that she knew?
As if in answer to her thought, Carla said, “It doesn't matter, Jazzy, I know you're not like them. Ahriman's other sons, Thomas and Nathaniel, are different, too. Like you. We can trust them. They got Stronik to stop medicating you."
"How?” she asked warily. The idea of Carla consorting with Ahriman's sons frightened her. What if they had tricked her?
"Nathaniel did it. He glamoured Stronik, I think. Thomas told me."
When Jasmine didn't say anything, Carla said, “They said they'd help us, Jazzy. They want to stop Ahriman. They hate him."
"How do they think they can stop him?” Jasmine's chest rose and fell as fear for her daughter raced through her. “Did they say anything about Pandora?"
She sensed Carla's hesitation before her voice reached her from the other side of the door. “They know that Ahriman is only immortal because of Pandora."
"They're going to try to kill Pandora,” Jasmine said, alarmed by the words.
"For Chrissakes, Jazzy, do you think I would let them hurt your baby? No, we talked about it. Neither of them wants to hurt Pandora. I told them I'd speak to you, in case you could think of another way."
Relief washed over her at Carla's words. After a moment, she said, “Do you really think you can trust these two?"
"I do,” said Carla.
Jasmine paused, her throat raw from talking after so many months of imposed silence. She had grave reservations about trusting Ahriman's sons, but Carla was a different story. She'd always been the one person Jasmine could count on. At this point, it wasn't like she had a lot of options. She didn't know if she could carry out what needed to be done without some help.
"All right,” Jasmine whispered through the door. “There might be a way they can help. Tell them this. Ahriman brings Pandora to me for feeding each night, around two o'clock, I think. Tomorrow night—I figure I'll be strong enough by then if I'm still off the medication—I'm going to do something that I hope will put an end to Ahriman. When he brings Pandora to me tomorrow night, tell your friends to make sure Christopher and Stronik are with them. They have to make sure Christopher and Stronik are out of the way. Permanently. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes,” said Carla.
"Stronik won't be much of a problem, he's human, but they'll have to make sure that Christopher is dealt with. If he suspects anything, he'll find a way to stop me. Afterward,” Jasmine continued, “they're to come here, to my room. Tell them to break the door down if they have to. I might need help. Did you get all of that?"
Carla repeated Jasmine's instructions. “Tomorrow night, when Ahriman brings Pandora to you, they get rid of Stronik and Christopher. After that, they're to come here, break down the door if they have to.” After a pause, Carla asked, “What are you planning to do, Jazz?"
"Leave it to me,” she said, breathing heavily. The effort of speaking had drained what little strength she had left. “Just make sure they deal with Christopher. He'll stop at nothing to interfere if he finds out."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure.” After a pause, she asked, “Do you really think there's a chance you can stop him?"
Jasmine felt the weight of her decision resting heavily on her. “I hope so. I think so. Carla?"
"Yes?"
"In case I don't make it ... do what you can for Pandora.” A second later, she heard the sound of soft crying from the other side of the door.
"Whatever you're planning, Jazzy, make it work. Your baby needs you. And mine needs me."
"What? What do you mean?"
"My baby's due in a couple of weeks ... It's Ahriman's,” she added miserably.
Jasmine leaned her head against the door and closed her eyes. Was this madness never going to end?
"I won't screw up,” she told Carla. “Make sure your friends don't either.” She could hear Carla breathing heavily on the other side of the door.
"All right, I have to go now,” said Carla.
"Yes ... If everything goes the way it's supposed to, I'll see you tomorrow night,” Jasmine reassured her.
She waited until the sound of Carla's running footsteps receded. Unable to get all the way to her feet, she crawled back to the side of her bed and managed to hoist herself back up. Too nervous to sleep, she spent the rest of that afternoon and evening reviewing what Sephora had told her and trying to envision how things would play out the following night. It comforted her to know that she would not be alone when she confronted Ahriman.
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Chapter 36
"That's everything she said,” Carla told Thomas and Nathaniel the following day.
Thomas had his doubts. “That's all she told you? She didn't tell you how she was planning to stop him?"
"No, there wasn't much time, we only talked for few minutes,” Carla said. “I was afraid Ahriman would see me. At least she was able to get to the door and speak—thanks to you, Nathaniel. Now that she's off the medication, she thinks she'll be able to do it tonight."
Thomas remained silent. He could see from the expectant look on Nathaniel's face that he'd alread
y decided.
"So?” asked Carla.
Thomas looked at his brother. “I don't know. I don't like going in blind. Maybe if I knew what she had planned, I—"
"Look,” Carla interrupted, “if Jazzy says she can do it, she will. I know her. Besides, she's the one with the most at stake here, isn't she?"
"No,” said Thomas quietly. “There's a lot more at stake here than just Jasmine and her baby, Carla. Ahriman is looking to repopulate the world. The whole mortal race will eventually be at stake."
"It's at stake anyway, unless you have another plan ... and don't bring up Pandora again. You'd have to get through me to kill her. That's not happening."
Thomas noticed the steely glint in Carla's eyes and understood why Nathaniel had taken such a liking to her, but he remained doubtful. On the one hand, neither he nor Nathaniel had been able to come up with an effective solution as to how to put an end to their father. On the other, they'd both agreed that killing an innocent child would not be an option for either of them. “All right,” he agreed. “Nathaniel?"
His brother replied without hesitation. “Yes, I'm in."
"Good. It's settled then,” said Carla. “What's the plan? How do we take out Stronik and Christopher tonight?"
"We don't do anything. You're out of this. Nathaniel and I will look after it,” said Thomas.
Carla didn't argue, he noted. The poor thing was probably worried sick about her baby, which was clearly due to arrive any time now. He hoped like hell the Cambion sister he'd never met knew what she was doing.
* * * *
Over the evening meal, Thomas listened as Ahriman set out a timetable for Christopher's expedition to round up the young ones, and what methods Thomas and Nathaniel should employ to convince them of their new purpose in life.
"Sounds like something we can handle, father,” agreed Thomas. Ahriman, he noticed, had been furiously probing his mind during the meal. Christopher, who appeared sullen and had spoken little up until now, shot him a withering look.