“It sounds like a wintery paradise.”
“Visio is a good place,” Kalon said, pain flickering in his eyes. “The people could use a serious ass-whipping, sure… but our lands are beautiful. Bountiful. This world is worth saving.”
“I don’t doubt it for a second,” I replied. “And I think the people are worth saving, too. They just need to understand and accept that what they’ve got going on here isn’t right.”
“It breaks me to see Valaine like this. We basically grew up together. She’s always been slightly different, but I never imagined there was so much more to her.”
“Does she scare you?” I asked.
All I could hear was the shuttle’s steady hum for a while, as Kalon tried to formulate an answer. “I’m not afraid,” he ultimately said. “In awe of her, yes. But not afraid. Frankly, I can’t wait to see her finally free.”
“You’ll lose your immortality. I doubt the Unending will let the Aeternae live forever after everything that happened.”
He winked. “Maybe you can turn me into a vampire.”
I’d given it some thought before. It didn’t sound insane or impossible. And if Kalon wanted to be turned, I was more than happy to be the one to do it. A future without him was beginning to sound increasingly difficult, and it would eventually border on the unbearable. We’d only known each other for weeks, but the chemistry between us was downright explosive. We fit together so well, it would be a crime against the universe itself to tear us apart now that we’d found each other.
“There it is,” Kalon said. “The Seniors’ island.”
Ahead, a heart-shaped plateau stood proudly in the middle of the blue waters. The beaches were golden and rounded, and hills rose toward the middle. White houses were sprinkled all over, surrounded by lush greenery and flowering trees. I counted hundreds at first sight, but I had yet to see the other side of the island.
“How many Seniors live here, again?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
“At least a few thousand. I don’t think Kalla knows the actual number. No one ever makes it to this place, so we only have tall tales and rumors,” Kalon said. “And I doubt this is the only Senior island. I’m willing to bet the Darklings have also seized control over other landmasses and are keeping even more Seniors there.”
“All this uncertainty you folks have going on here is a tad concerning,” I muttered. “Almost nothing of what Danika, Petra, or even Acheron told us holds any water. Speaking of, why did they welcome us initially, if they had so many problems?”
Kalon shrugged. “My guess is they were afraid of an all-out war. They’re probably confident they’d win it, if it were to happen, but the loss of life would be catastrophic. I suppose they were trying to accommodate you so you’d get on with your work and be gone before any of our filth came to light.”
“Well, that didn’t turn out as they’d hoped.”
“Which is why they’re now being forced to improvise by coming out into the open and asking the empire for public acceptance,” Kalon said. “They know the war is still a possibility, so they’re in survival mode. They no longer care about loss of life—they only care about using the innocents as leverage in order for their Darklings to get away with all this.”
“I’m sure there are things we still don’t know,” I replied. “They’re up to something, even now.”
“Oh, absolutely. That’s why we’re here trying to gather some allies.”
As we drew closer, the island came into focus. It reminded me of a densely populated Greek island. The whitewashed houses were neat, with sharp edges and sloping roofs. Each home had a luscious garden, and blossoms filled every single tree, a surprising sight this time of the year.
“Isn’t it supposed to be a harvest season?” I asked, and Kalon nodded, equally surprised by the sight before us. “Then why are all the trees flowering now? Am I missing something?”
“Not really. This is one of the few islands this far south, so we can’t be sure what the climate is like in these parts. It could be normal for this time of the year.”
“Fair enough. It’s gorgeous,” I added, my gaze wandering along the many snaking paths that seemed to connect all the houses. The trails had been set with stone slabs of various shapes and sizes, going up and down as the land elevation allowed. “It’s like a Mediterranean wonderland,” I mumbled, mostly to myself.
“Let’s land over there, beneath the star trees,” Kalon said, pointing to the east shore. The beach was smooth and clear where he indicated, and massive palm-like trees arched above with white, star-shaped crowns. Each leaf was long, with a sharp tip, forming a succulent star shape. They looked weird but wonderful. “It’s the least populated part of the island, as far as I can tell.”
As soon as we landed, I made sure the shuttle stayed hidden from sight and ready to go at a moment’s notice. I reached for one of the pulverizer weapons, but Kalon stopped me.
“They might try to kill us,” I said.
“We don’t want to give them any reason to do that,” he replied. He had a point. “Besides, you’ve got those invisibility pellets, right?” he asked, and it was my turn to nod. “We’ll keep ourselves out of sight until we find the right Senior and the right moment to reveal ourselves.”
Following his advice, I left the pulverizer weapons in the shuttle and followed him out. We each ingested an invisibility pellet and put on red garnet glasses. Kalon led the way as we went uphill through a plethora of waxy bushes and oversized pink flowers. It looked like something out of a botanist’s wildest dream. The explosion of lime green and fuchsia and bright yellow was almost hypnotizing. We paused once we reached the first house.
“Let’s keep a safe distance from them,” Kalon whispered. “They might smell us.”
“Old noses, eh?” I replied.
“You could say that.”
A couple came out, both wearing white robes with gold embroidery that formed large wings on their backs. They held hands as they walked down the stone path toward the sound of voices, laughter, and string music.
We followed them. Tingles traveled down my spine and expanded into pricks across my skin as the island’s center came into view. It formed a basin between the rolling hills, and dozens of paths led to its core. Colored lanterns hung from the rooftops, and a fountain gushed in a round plaza. There were thousands of Aeternae gathered, and they all looked like angels in their white hoods with gold embroidered wings.
They smiled at each other. They danced. They feasted on pitchers of blood. Some of them played music on harp-like instruments. Others cheered and whistled. The atmosphere was incendiary and exhilarating.
“This is one hell of a party they’re throwing,” I managed.
“I hope my retirement looks just as good,” Kalon replied, his gaze fixed on a couple kissing passionately by the fountain. Only then did I realize that they weren’t just partying. They were physically close, touching, caressing and kissing one another indiscriminately. Fingers brushed down cheeks. Heads were thrown back in vigorous chortles.
Lips met lips and bodies molded in a pattern that took my breath away.
“Oh, wow…” I heard myself whisper.
“Orgy” was too strong a word for what I was seeing, but it was certainly different from any gathering I’d ever witnessed before. They all seemed to love each other here, beyond the usual social boundaries. They moved as one and lived as one, it seemed. At first sight, it was certainly unique, but also worthy of more in-depth study.
I had a feeling we’d be sticking around for a while. The party was only just getting started, as more Aeternae were descending from the hilltops. My heart and mind were both curious as to what this might all be about.
Esme
“What kind of celebration is this?” Kalon mumbled, his eyes widening as he stared.
We’d found a safe spot behind a giant vase featuring a leafy plant that exploded with oversized leaves and wax-like flowers. The pollen tips were big and gold-dusted
, and winged insects often gathered atop to collect sweet nectar.
The Aeternae Seniors looked happy and carefree. Beneath a dusky red sky and surrounded by green hills, white houses, and a blue ocean beyond, they danced around the gushing fountain, sharing blood drinks and kisses. It was strange and hypnotizing to watch, and we found it impossible to look away. Kalon and I stayed close to each other, watching quietly and trying to figure out what sort of society we’d stumbled upon.
“You mean you don’t throw parties like this on the continent or in the imperial city?” I asked, stifling a chuckle. My cheeks were burning red, but I didn’t let that temper my sense of humor. No matter how I looked at it, it was still a bit funny. These were the fearsome Seniors. I’d been warned that they were millions of years old, with crazy-sharp reflexes and no hesitation when it came to killing. I’d been told to be careful.
But these Seniors seemed more like free-loving hippies—though better dressed and sparkling clean—with flowery fragrances coming off them and dazzling my senses. The white silk poured down their bodies like a coat of milk, accentuating muscles and curves with an artful flair. Their hair was long, glimmering in the most intense shades of black, copper, chocolate brown, and sunny blond. Their eyes glowed with an intoxicating mélange of joy and delight, their lips stretched into luminous smiles. This whole place felt like some kind of heaven.
“No. We might not be the strictest people, but this… this is a whole new dimension,” Kalon managed. “I mean, it looks insanely fun, but I can’t imagine a party like this one taking over the streets of the imperial city.”
“Of course, the streets of the imperial city are currently brimming with Black Fever victims,” I replied. “But they do seem to be having a really good time here. This isn’t what I expected.”
“I’m as surprised as you are.”
“So... can we just come out and reveal ourselves?” I asked, though the idea still didn’t feel safe. In fact, my stomach crumpled whenever I thought about it.
Kalon shook his head. “They’re like this because there’s no one from the outside present. It’s just them, away from the world, no longer subject to our rules or societal etiquette. They can’t die, and they can’t go out because of the Darklings. If we show ourselves now, I doubt they’ll be as relaxed and carefree.”
“Then how do we approach them?” I asked.
He looked around, spotting an open door nearby that led into a small square house with wooden windows and flowers hanging along the sills. “Come on,” he whispered, and I followed him inside. It looked like a catering area, with blood pitchers and large bowls of ice, crystal goblets, and various spices all ready to be served. “We can try to blend in,” Kalon added, opening one of the tall dressers. He pulled out two capes made of white silk, with hoods and golden embroidery. The dresser was filled with similar clothes, and I figured it had been specifically equipped for this event.
We put on the hoods and took a moment to listen to the noise outside. Still laughter and music, for the most part. I was flustered, and Kalon picked up on it. He grinned, coming closer and slipping an arm around my waist.
“Look at all those lovebirds outside,” he said. “Morfuris…”
Revealing himself, he took off the garnet glasses and waited for me to do the same. Once we were both visible, we took a moment to just… listen, our gazes locked on each other.
“I wonder if every day is a party here,” I said.
Kalon filled a couple of glasses with blood and added spices. “We need some nourishment.”
“Is it safe?” I asked, and he chuckled softly.
“Well, this is supposed to feed them. I don’t see a problem with grabbing a snack for ourselves.”
We clinked and downed our glasses. The effect was almost immediate. My extremities tingled as my chest buzzed and my skin warmed up. It was strange but wonderful, like I’d just taken a sip from the sun itself. This was better than Rimian or Nalorean blood.
“I say we try to blend in,” Kalon said again, refilling his glass. “This is absolutely delicious.”
Something felt… different. I wasn’t sure what or why or where it was coming from. Maybe it was in the air or in the blood we’d just consumed, but I felt relaxed, my bones all gooey and my lips unable to stop smiling. “Kalon, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, his gaze darkening as he measured me from head to toe. “Have I told you how beautiful you look in white? The silk looks like a second skin.”
I glanced down, noticing how the cape seemed to fit around my body. My arms had slipped through tailored openings, and the fabric was following every curve I had, almost like a dress. Just one more weird aspect to add to the list.
“You look hot,” I murmured, observing the effect of the white silk cape against his body. It covered his broad shoulders and narrow hips, the ends fluttering with every breeze. I couldn’t control myself as I reached out and cupped his face, pulling him into a kiss.
It was a wet and hungry kiss, and Kalon groaned as he reciprocated. Oh, something was definitely off here, and we were both under its influence. It didn’t manufacture any emotion, but it amplified all the existing ones, which was why Kalon and I couldn’t keep our hands off one another.
But Kalon tasted so good. He deepened the kiss, his arms tightening around me, his body hard as I melted against him. “Esme, I can’t stop,” he whispered in my ear before gently nipping the lobe. My breath hitched as I ran my hands through his hair, my fingertips excited by the silky texture.
“Kalon, it’s… it’s this place.” I moaned when he started trailing kisses down the side of my neck. “There’s something going on…”
With monumental effort, I managed to pull myself back, breathing heavily as I struggled to regain my composure. Kalon held his own, his blue eyes almost black as he looked at me. We stood like that for a while, simply looking at each other and trying to figure out our next steps.
“What were we talking about earlier?” he asked, taking a deep breath.
“Blending in,” I said, pointing at my silken cape. “You said we should try to blend in. Maybe we can make friends with them…”
“Right. Right, so we can get them on our side,” he muttered, as if finally remembering why we were here. “Do you think it’s the blood? It didn’t taste funny to me.”
“I… I don’t know. But we’ve got to get through this.”
He nodded once. “Okay. It’s kind of hard, though. All I can think about is kissing you.”
“Well, I think about that all the time.” I chuckled.
“So do I, but not with such... intensity,” he replied, smiling.
“Fair point. No, there’s definitely something off here. Maybe some kind of love potion sprayed into the air?” I asked, trying to figure out what had thrown us off our game so completely.
Kalon offered me his hand. “Let’s go outside and find out. Whatever it is, it’s probably responsible for all the rubbing and kissing among the Seniors, too.”
“Yeah. Most likely. All we have to do is keep ourselves under control,” I said, taking his hand. As soon as we touched, I felt the rush burning through me again, his lips suddenly beckoning me to him. “Kalon, this is going to be very difficult.”
“I know,” he grumbled, looking away.
We went outside, clad in white silk with gold wings embroidered on our backs. We kept our heads covered, the hoods pulled so they obscured our faces as we moved through the swelling crowd. The Seniors were still at it, dancing and touching, their lips meeting with hunger and passion. Their fangs glistened in the mellow afternoon light, and I felt Kalon’s grip tightening on my hand.
“What do you think is up with them?” he asked.
All I had was a shrug. “No idea, but it’s deliberate. It’s got to be. It’s affecting us, too.”
“Not that I mind.”
I gave him a faint smile. “Me neither. It’s just bad timing. We’re on a mission.”
; “Yes. Right. The mission.”
We both laughed, realizing how deeply under the influence we really were. I quickly sobered as an Aeternae Senior woman came up behind me, her hands settling on my hips as she pulled me back. “Oh, you smell amazing,” she said, her fangs grazing my ear.
Kalon froze, another female wrapping herself around him. “You look absolutely scrumptious!” she said, pressing an index finger against his lips before kissing him.
My whole being flared with pure rage at the sight of them, though I knew it wasn’t Kalon’s fault. He tried to politely push her back, but she didn’t seem to get the hint.
“Sorry, excuse me,” I managed. The woman behind me was running her hands up my sides. “We’re… we were hoping you might…” My voice trailed off as everything came to a sudden halt. I almost heard the record scratch.
Suddenly, it was all quiet. Every pair of eyes had found us. The woman touching me had stopped, and the air chilled behind me. Kalon was free, as well, though understandably baffled and blushing as he glanced at me.
Looking around, the fun seemed to have left the island completely. Everyone was serious, glaring at Kalon and me, their claws and fangs gradually coming out. My heart jumped and my pulse rushed as I tried to take it all in. There were over a thousand Seniors present, and more were coming down the stone paths. Their smiles faded as they reached the plaza and saw us.
“So the whole blending in part didn’t work,” I said, my tone flat.
Kalon was at a loss for words, his expression bordering on terrified.
One of the Seniors stepped forward. Her beauty was angelic, with long hair flowing down her back in strawberry-blonde and platinum waves. Her eyes were round and blue like turquoise gemstones. Her lips were drawn in a Cupid’s bow, full and pink. She was tall and stunning, with an hourglass figure perfectly hugged in white silk, the gold embroidery dancing on her shoulders as she moved toward us.
A Shade of Vampire 83: A Bender of Spirit Page 13