by Andrea Wölk
Except for Phoebe and Eva, all the warriors were in the meeting room, which was now almost completely full. The group had grown by four in the last few days, a number which they usually needed decades to achieve. Shia and Sara first met Maroush and then ten years later Aragón joined them. Almost fifteen years later they met Ruben and Jôrek. So you could actually say that the warriors were still fairly young.
When Maroush entered the room with Sunny, everyone turned and stared. Curiosity and skepticism hit them in the face, so much so that they’d rather have fled. Maroush’s strong warm hand on her shoulders kept her from laughing in their faces and turning around and going her own way.
Channing was standing at the end of the long table and began to speak.
»Sunny, I would like to welcome you in the name of all those present here. We know what you did for Aragón and we thank you.« All the vampires murmured in approval.
»We could use someone like you here. What are your plans? Even if you aren’t a warrior, you could still come with us...«
»That’s not actually true!« Maroush interjected. »Sunny is a warrior. She has a tattoo. I’ve seen it with my own eyes!« You could hear a pin drop as all eyes in the room turned to Sunny.
Sara spoke first. »You’re a warrior? Did you know??« Sunny shook her head hesitantly.
»No, Maroush told me about your tattoos and then I realized that I have one too.« »What’s your maxim?« asked Ruben curiously. Sunny started to answer, but Maroush interrupted her.
»I don’t think the maxim is something we have to share with everybody.«
Sara scowled and raised her eyebrows intuitively. »But if Sunny’s maxim is the same as one of ours, we need to know.« »What does that mean?« Sunny didn’t understand what was behind the words. Sara looked at Maroush questioningly. »Didn’t Maroush explain it to you? Your tattoo will be the same as your soulmate’s.« »What the hell is that supposed to mean?« Sunny seemed to be confused. »It’s like a marriage. An alliance of the souls, which you seal with each other by exchanging blood. You can’t fight it. The alliance is written in the sacred book and the prophecies in the book have always been fulfilled, « explained Jôrek patiently.
»So you mean, I can’t choose my own soulmate? That’s crazy!« »That’s what I used to think, too,« grumbled Channing quietly looking Sara lovingly in the eyes.
»What’s your maxim?« Sara asked Sunny reassuringly, who then looked over at Maroush uncertainly.
»When you speak, then your words should be better than your silence would have been,« he said proudly and then after a moment of silence, »Ultima Ratio ... The last resort. She has the same maxim I do!«
It got so quiet in the room that you could have heard a pin drop. Sunny’s eyes darted back and forth between Sara and Maroush, as she slowly began to understand what all of this meant. She involuntarily shook her head and laughed brashly.
»Oh no, fuck that. Not with me.« She turned around and left the room. Sara wanted to go after her, but Maroush held her back.
»Let her go. This isn’t so easy to understand. Up until a couple of minutes ago, she didn’t even know that she was a warrior.« Sara looked at him concerned. »How do you feel about this? This is surely a surprise for you as well?« Maroush looked towards the door Sunny had just disappeared through. »Yes, of course. I’d seen her in the club already. We ran into each other in the hallway and it seemed to me as if we’d known each other for years already. It was a strange feeling.« Sara nodded. »Yeah, I know. You can’t fight it, even if you wanted to.« She looked over at Channing, who was deep in conversation with Shia. He sensed her watching him and looked up. ›I love you!‹ he said to her telepathically laughing to himself.
Before he could answer, Ruben exclaimed, »Could we direct our thoughts to more important questions?« Channing smiled back at Sara and commented, »My thoughts are exclusively focused on important subjects, like for example, that we have to find the Diarium as soon as possible so that it doesn’t get into Castaway’s hands.« The warriors nodded gathering around the large conference table, most of them taking a seat in one of the chairs.
»Good, let’s focus on the information we’ve got so far,« said Channing picking up where he’d left off. »Shia, Sara told me that you’ve managed to keep a few pages from the Diarium. Have you checked to see if there are clues in them as to the whereabouts of the book?« Shia looked as if he’d just seen as ghost. »The pages ... They were being kept in the bank with Phoebe!« »And were destroyed in the fire!« said Ruben superfluously. »No, they weren’t, « said someone standing quietly near the door.
Phoebe was standing there on shaky legs hanging to the doorframe. Ruben jumped up immediately to help her. He led her to where he’d been sitting and eased her down onto the chair.
She pulled three old parchment pages out from under her shirt and handed them to Shia. »I was able to save them. I knew how important they are to you.«
Speaking wasn’t easy for her. She needed blood and was getting weaker by the minute.
Ruben could tell and the other warriors recognized the symptoms, but didn’t say anything out of respect.
»Phoebe, holy shit! How could we possible thank you?« whispered Shia respectfully.
»You’ve done us a great service. Are you okay? Can we do anything for you?« »I just want to go back to my room,« she said looking at all them shyly. Shia looked over at Ruben intuitively.
»Come on, I’ll get you something to eat.« He took her arm and led her out of the room. About half way up the stairs, Phoebe collapsed into a shaking fit. He picked her up in his arms and carried her up to his bed.
»I told you, you need to feed,« he said scolding her, yet gently smoothing down her hair. He pulled his shirt over his head silently and sat down next to her.
»You will drink from me now and I won’t accept no for an answer!« His tone of voice sounded harsh, but his eyes rested gently on her body. Phoebe turned away so that he couldn’t see her scar, but he took her chin in his hands and pulled her face in his direction. »Stop.« was his only comment.
His black tattoo winding down his back captured Phoebe’s attention and distracted her from her scar. Without really thinking, she traced each letter with her finger, which gave Ruben goose bumps.
»I’ve never actually seen a warrior’s tattoo. It looks so beautiful. What do these letters mean?« She was stroking his chest without realizing the effect she was having, but she was so attracted to his well-toned shoulders and strong muscles, that she couldn’t help it. Ruben gulped. »My maxim is ›Semper fidelis – Always faithful‹.« »Is there another vampire with this maxim?« Ruben shrugged his shoulders. »I don’t know. I haven’t met anyone carrying this maxim yet. And that’s okay because I don’t think I’m ready for a soulmate. I prefer doing my own thing and don’t like having to take care of other people.«
He straddled her legs and supported her back so that she could sit up straight. »Come on, drink and then you’ll feel much better. Then we’ll think about the next step.« She looked at him critically again, but her hunger was just too much. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. She hadn’t noticed how spicy he smelled until now, like a dark Douglas fir; like wind blowing through the trees, and fresh rain falling from a low lying cloud. Her fangs immediately emerged after inhaling Ruben’s scent and she opened her mouth and bit her fangs into the vein on the side of his neck.
Phoebe had only ever fed from Pete and wasn’t at all prepared for the effect of Ruben’s blood on her. The thick dark red juice ran satisfyingly into her mouth and down her throat. It was spicy and wholesome, much different from the thin light blood from Pete.
To Phoebe it seemed like she’d just changed from drinking water to Champagne.
She held onto his athletic body and sucked with a force, which Ruben hadn’t really expected from her. He could already sense a subtle sensuality hidden under her unruly surface after just a few swallows. He felt a surge of adrenaline rushing through his veins and a
t the same time his desire for Phoebe intensified, a desire he hadn’t been aware of before.
It hit him like lightning.
It was wrong to let Phoebe drink from him. The heavy beating of her heart had awakened a desire inside of him that he’d forgotten about for so long.
He had the heart of a warrior and didn’t want to feel any different. Yet, this gentle woman he was holding in his arms, who, thanks to his blood, was being given new life, had awakened a desire within his body that he wasn’t ready for.
»Hey, leave something for me.« He laughed quietly, carefully moving Phoebe away from him.
»Did you have enough?« She nodded her head gently. »Thank you, that’s fine. I already feel much better.«
He looked at her face and noticed that a small drop of blood was still on her lips, a tempting tear luring him into a mischievous trap. He could only focus on this single drop, reducing his being down to pure emotion. He leaned forward and licked it way with his tongue, running his teeth along her lips, his sharp fangs digging into her bottom lip. The taste of her was too much for Ruben. He wanted to get away from her but the sweet scent of forbidden chocolate made him shudder and he pulled her closer to him. With each little sip from her lip, he moved a step away from the here and now.
At first Phoebe was shocked by the mild pain in her lips, but when she felt Ruben pushing closer to her body, she was no longer capable of defending herself. He was gushing masculinity and power. His aggressive kisses made her forget the ashes of the world she’d just lost. His strength gave her a feeling of security and she gave herself whole-heartedly to his movements.
It took her a moment to notice that he’d separated from her lips and was sitting there bewildered running his fingers through his dark brown hair. He got up from the bed abruptly and quickly put his shirt back on as if he were protecting himself with it.
»Damn it! I didn’t want that to happen. I’m so sorry. That wasn’t a good idea.« He turned around and fled the room as if he’d disrupted a wasp’s nest.
»You’re right, that wasn’t a good idea at all,« murmured Phoebe softly as she devotedly ran her finger over her swollen lips.
Sunny was wandering around the house aimlessly. She didn’t really know where to go or to whom she should turn. No one had followed her, of course not, as if one of them even cared.
It was better this way because she had no intention of becoming one of them. She was a loner who didn’t need anyone. She could always handle things alone, but right at this moment, she didn’t have a clue what to do.
She didn’t want to go back to Castaway, that’s for sure. Or back to the city, where he’d most likely find her again. She didn’t know what she was going to do yet. Maybe she’d go back to the home she’d left over one hundred years ago. Together with her parents, she’d immigrated to America by ship. Her father had taken the whole family to San Francisco in 1849 as part of the gold rush. They’d sailed half way around the world to be a part of the dream, but nothing ever came of it. Her father had given up his job as a blacksmith to follow the promise of gold, but both of her parents died on the boat during the journey over from Germany to San Francisco. Sunny had struggled alone a few weeks until a vampire attacked and transformed her.
She tried to push the dark thoughts out of her head. Yes, Germany would be a good alternative, she thought.
While looking for the room where she’d put her things, she heard a low sobbing coming from behind another door. First she just walked by, but then she changed her mind and knocked. When no one answered, she turned the knob and peered into the room. By the looks of it, it definitely belonged to one of the warriors. In bed was the blond woman she’d seen in Castaway’s house. She’d still been a mortal, but now she had the unmistakable smell of a vampire. Sunny approached the bed and looked into her red, swollen eyes.
»Is it that bad?« asked Sunny sitting down on the edge of the bed. »You know, it’s not such a big deal being a vampire. There are advantages sometimes.« Eva shook her head.
»Don’t you want to tell me what’s wrong? I’m Sunny. Should I get someone?« Eva shook her head again and wiped the tears out of her eyes.
»No thank you, Sunny. I’m Eva, by the way. Right now I don’t want to see anybody.«
»Why are you crying?« »It’s my maxim!« »All the warriors have one. I’ve got one too.«
Eva nodded. »Yeah, I know, but I’ve got the wrong one.« »How is it possible to have the wrong one?« Sunny couldn’t really understand what Eva was trying to say through her tears.
»Shia was so sure that we were soulmates, but I don’t have his maxim. It’s different! That means that we’re not meant to be together!«
Her voice faded out when she spoke the last few words. Sunny nodded. »I understand where you’re coming from. I’m kind of in the same situation. I have a maxim that I don’t want.«
Eva looked up. »Whose maxim do you have?« Sunny twisted her mouth slightly.
»It’s Maroush’s. Crazy, isn’t it? I don’t even know him and now I’m supposed to become his soulmate? That’s fucking nuts.« Eva touched her arm gently. »Oh Sunny. Maroush is a very special man, believe me. You just don’t know how lucky you actually are.« Sunny looked at her skeptically. »I won’t be here long enough to find out. I have to get the hell out of here. This isn’t what I want. I’d rather be alone.« Eva grabbed her hand. »No Sunny. You’re a warrior. You can’t leave. Stay with us and try to find out what your destiny is. There must be a reason why you helped Aragón. Don’t throw it all away. You could always leave later.« Sunny considered Eva’s words for a moment and then said, »You look pale and need something to drink. I’ll send someone up to you.« She stood up and turned towards the door. Shia was standing in the doorway starring at Eva dumbfounded.
Sunny was standing at the window looking out into the light of day. After all these years, she couldn’t believe that she could actually look into the sun. She’d lived in darkness the entire time because she hadn’t known any better. But now that she’d learned her true identity as a warrior of faith, she no longer had to avoid the sun.
A sound at the door made her turn around and she saw Maroush standing in the doorway.
»I’ll be outta here in a minute. Thanks for everything. I’ve been too much trouble already.«
Maroush gestured invitingly with his hands. »You don’t have to go. You’re welcome to stay. You’re not a prisoner here. But if you want to leave, I have to show you something first. Come with me.« He turned around without saying another word assuming that Sunny would follow him.
When he reached the path leading out to the cliffs, he could feel her with him, as if she were a part of him. He hadn’t wanted to feel this way, but it seemed to be rooted deeply inside of him. He’d felt Sunny’s hesitation when they went outside, like she was checking whether or not the sun would harm her.
Maroush sat down on one of the large stones and, like many times before, looked out onto the horizon. The sun was high in the sky, slightly obstructed by clouds. It had gotten a little warmer the last couple of days and a slight breeze was blowing in from the ocean, all slow, but consistent signs of the approaching spring.
»Where do you plan on going?« His voice sounded soft, quiet and a touch curious. When she didn’t answer, he looked over at her. Sunny shrugged her shoulders.
»I don’t know exactly. Just away from here. Away from Castaway and all his hunters. The idea of being able to use sunlight is new for me and it opens up a lot of additional options.«
»And what do you have against spending your future here with us? As a warrior of faith? You’re strong, independent, clever and brave – all characteristics of a warrior. Why not give it a try?«
»So that one day I can become your companion?« You could tell by her tone of voice that wasn’t what she wanted.
»That we’re meant to be soulmates is just as new for me as it is for you. I didn’t expect to encounter this so soon. I don’t want to jump into anything too quick
ly and I don’t want to force you into doing anything either. This is something that we both have to decide together. I would take care of you, but I would never demand anything from you that you weren’t willing to give. I would protect you, like I’d protect any of the other warriors. So, what do you think?«
»Why do you want me to stay so much?« Maroush thought about this for a second.
»Well, I believe our paths have crossed for a reason and I’m curious which Kismet we share.«
Shia looked with disbelief at the maxim twisting across Eva’s hip down to her thigh and he shook his head. No, that couldn’t be possible. Something was terribly wrong. He closed his eyes for a moment to reflect on the situation. »Shia, I know. It’s not your maxim. But what does mine mean?« He stroked her hair lovingly. »Fortes fortuna adiurat – Fortune favors the bold. No, it’s not my maxim, but what does it change between us? And I don’t know anyone who has this maxim. I know how I feel about you and I’m absolutely sure that I love you.« Eva looked at him sadly. »Somewhere, there are two vampires who share our maxims. We can’t deny that.« Shia put his arms around her shoulders. »But I can’t deny our love either and it will only get stronger. Trust me, Eva! Do you want to be my wife?« Eva looked into his eyes.
»You know that it would be impossible for me not to desire you. How could I not want you?«
A smile appeared on Shia’s face. »Then drink from me because it will seal our love and we’ll be together forever... «
Channing was quietly studying the parchment pages. They were in exceptionally good condition and composed entirely in Latin. He ran his fingers over the ancient text in awe, submerging himself in the words.
»It’s all pretty confusing. I just can’t seem to find the common thread. Nothing really connects. There must be something, but I just don’t know what!« Shia pulled at his hair in frustration.