Blood Forever

by Mari Mancusi

  Magnus’s face goes stark white. He looks at Charity, then at me, then back at his blood donor. I know exactly what he’s thinking. You’re telling me I’m going to be stuck with this tacky fashion victim for all of eternity? If it weren’t so tragic, it’d almost be comical.

  The silence that follows is suffocating. My heart feels as if it’s been squeezed in a vise. “Maybe I should go,” I stammer. “This was a bad idea.” On so many levels.

  I turn away so he won’t see the tears spring to my eyes. I should leave. I should bolt out of this old, decommissioned church and never look back. But as I take that first step, I feel a strong hand on my arm. I turn back to see Magnus’s sheepish face.

  “Wait,” he says, his voice filled with guilt. He always was a softie—underneath that tough exterior. “I’m sorry. I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. Please forgive me.” He releases my arm and bows his head reverently. “It is lovely to meet you, Rayne McDonald,” he says. Almost as if he actually means it.

  “Yeah,” I manage to reply, though it’s quite an effort getting any words past the lump in my throat. He must think I’m a total freak. “Um, great to meet you, too.” Out of habit, I stick out my hand. I can’t believe I’m actually giving my soul mate a friendly handshake. What the hell was I thinking coming here in the first place? This is torture worse than any fiery circle of Hell.

  In response, he slips his hand into my own, squeezing it with tempered vampire strength. My whole body explodes at his touch, and it’s all I can do not to cry out loud.

  Oh, Magnus. My love…

  He drops my hand like a hot potato and my first reaction is to be offended all over again. But then I catch the shadow crossing his face, the glimmer of confusion in his eyes. Ha! He feels it, too. Despite his best efforts, he feels something of the magnetic attraction between us. Just that simple fact makes me feel a little better.

  I watch, breath in my throat, as he swallows hard, then turns to Charity, who’s watching the scene with apparent amusement. “Why the hell are you still here?” he demands angrily, taking out his confusion on the only target he can.

  “I’m not! I’m gone!” she assures him, dancing down the aisle and toward the back door, leaving me alone with Magnus again. My heart pounds in my chest as I search for something intelligent to say.

  “So, um, Bite Night?” I try. “What’s that?” It’s all I can come up with on short notice with my body still humming from his touch.

  He shakes his head before replying, as if trying to regain some semblance of control over his traitorous body. “Well,” he says, “as you know, in one month, when you complete your vampire training, the two of us will share one another’s blood, bonding as blood mates…for eternity.”

  “Right,” I reply, nodding. “I know that part.” Of course, unbeknownst to him, by then I’ll be far, far away. Forgetting he even exists for the good of all humanity and vampire kind. I wonder what he’ll think when he finds out I bailed. Will he be disappointed? Relieved?

  “Well,” he continues, clearing his throat. “On Bite Night we practice.”

  “Um, what?” My pulse picks up all over again as I give him a questioning look. “Practice what?”

  His cheeks pinken into a blush, and for a moment I think he’s not going to explain. But then he shrugs and looks up, piercing me with his hot blue eyes and melting me all over again.

  “Why, biting you, of course.”

  5

  I stare at Magnus in shock, one hundred percent positive, even without looking into a mirror, that my face has drained of all its color. (Which, unfortunately, probably only serves to make me look even more like a Goth girl. Yuck.)

  “Did you say…bite me? As in biting me on the neck? Biting me on the neck with your fangs?” I stammer nonsensically, seeming unable to utter anything even remotely intelligent. After all, what else could he mean? It’s not like the phrase Why, biting you, of course is all that ambiguous to begin with.

  But still! What am I going to do? I mean, sure, it’s one thing to show up and stare at Magnus from across the room one last time. Quite another to agree to having his lips press against my neck, his fangs slicing through my flesh. Not that I’m worried about physical injury or anything—I know I’ll heal. It’s just that I also know all too well from previous experience how heavenly it can feel for a vampire—any vampire—to bite a mortal on the neck. And this isn’t just any vampire. This is Magnus. My Magnus.

  I so cannot do this.

  “Are you okay?” Magnus asks, peering at me with concern. “You look as if you’re about to pass out.”

  “I’m fine,” I blurt out quickly. “It’s only that…I guess I didn’t realize that we were doing the whole biting thing tonight. And well, I’m feeling a little under the weather, actually.” I fake a sneeze, then cough loudly into my hand for effect. “You might not want to bite me tonight. I mean, you wouldn’t want to catch my cold. Or flu…Yeah, actually, now that I think about it, I might have the flu. Or maybe that nasty superbug that’s going around?” I suggest hopefully. “In fact, just the other day I heard someone say something about a global pandemic that the government is trying to cover up. I wouldn’t want you catching it and ending up turning into a zombie or something, all on my account…” I trail off, looking at him helplessly. He isn’t buying any of this. I can tell. Not that I blame him.

  Sure enough, Magnus raises a skeptical eyebrow. “I’m an immortal, all-powerful creature of the night,” he reminds me drolly. “I don’t catch colds.”

  Oh. Right. Duh. I’m an idiot. Of course he can’t get sick. I should have remembered that from the one time I really did come down with the flu and he stayed by my bedside feeding me chicken soup until dawn. Which was so very sweet of him, I might add.

  I shake my head. No. I have to think of some other excuse. Something else to get me out of the whole biting thing. Not that half of me doesn’t want him to go for it. I mean, to be honest, I really can’t think of anything better than having my true love’s lips against my neck. (Well, besides having them against my lips, that is.) But I know all too well that if I allow that to happen, I’ll be a goner for sure. And there’ll be no way I’ll be able to walk out of his life forever.

  Which I really need to do. Not only for myself. But for him. And Jareth. And the rest of the Blood Coven. Their entire future depends on me not screwing this up.

  Magnus puts a hand on my shoulder. “Look, it probably seems scarier than it is,” he says. “But trust me, it’s not a big deal. I won’t even be drawing any blood. And I’ll put numbing cream on my fangs beforehand. You won’t feel a thing.”

  “I know, I know,” I say. God, he must think I’m a total baby. “It’s just…It’s just…” What am I supposed to say? It’s just that I’m back from the future and don’t want to fall in love with you all over again?

  Magnus’s face softens. He gestures for me to take my seat again, then sits down beside me. “Look,” he says, peering into my eyes with his own deep-blue ones. “If you’re feeling uncomfortable, we don’t need to do this tonight. You can go home and spend some time thinking things through.”

  I cock my head in question. “Thinking things through?” What is he talking about?

  He gives me a rueful look. “Look, Rayne. If you can’t even bring yourself to go through with a practice bite, do you really think you’re ready for the real thing?” he asks slowly. “Because if you’re not, I suggest you walk away now, while you still have a chance at mortality. Remember, eternal life is forever. And forever is a long time to live with regret.”

  I drop my eyes, conflicting thoughts waging war inside my head. Poor Magnus. I know how much he wants a blood mate. He’s been so lonely. By himself for a millennium. This is his one chance to find a partner in crime to spend eternity with, and I know how much he’s been looking forward to it. And yet he’s willing to let me go. To remain alone so I won’t have to do something I might regret. It’s so sweet and selfless I can hardly stand it
.

  And I find I can’t bring myself to let him down. At least not today.

  “I’m okay,” I assure him, daring to rest a hand on his arm. It’s all I can do not to yank him toward me and wrap him into a huge hug. But that would be seriously improper, I know. Not to mention more than a bit awkward, seeing as we’re supposed to have just met mere minutes before. “I know what I’m doing.”

  Yeah, I know what I’m doing all right. Risking the future of the world, as well as my own life, in order to avoid disappointing a single vampire. A single vampire, I might add, who would not exactly appreciate the gesture, if he knew what I was doing. Magnus has always been perfectly clear about the idea that his own happiness comes second to that of the Blood Coven vampires under his care. I remember him freaking out at Jareth under the streets of New York City, moments before my death, because Jareth chose to try to save him—out of love and friendship—and inadvertently endangered his people.

  But they’re not his people now, I realize. At this point in time, the former Blood Coven Master, Lucifent, is still alive. And Magnus is simply another member of the coven, with no responsibility to anyone but himself. I sigh. If only he could stay that way. If only Slayer Inc. didn’t have to go and slay Lucifent and force Magnus to take over in his stead.

  Oh my God, that’s it! My mind races with the possibility. If we could prevent Lucifent’s murder somehow, then Magnus wouldn’t become Master. And if Magnus doesn’t become Master, he won’t run the risk of pissing off Pyrus. And if he doesn’t piss off Pyrus, then the Blood Coven won’t be kicked out of the Consortium. Magnus won’t be tried for treason and Bertha will have no reason to kill me.

  Everyone will live happily ever after. And Magnus will be free to be my boyfriend forever.

  My heart pounds with excitement as a plan forms in my mind. Could something like this really work? I mean, I know we’re talking about dangerous history-changing stuff here, which, let’s face it, didn’t work out all that well in any of the Back to the Future movies. But in this case, the future is going to change regardless, right? So what would be the big deal about tweaking it a little bit more to ensure the absolute best outcome?

  What if Lucifent didn’t have to die? I mean, the reason for his death was pretty ridiculous to begin with. Who goes and murders someone just because he’s trapped in a body of a child? Slayer Inc. says child vampires are an abomination. But Magnus always told me Lucifent was a good leader and didn’t deserve what came his way. If we could stop his death, we could make everything right!

  My excited thoughts are interrupted as a tall, thin vampire, dressed in a Fangtasia T-shirt, walks up the pulpit and bangs his gavel. A hush falls over the crowd as humans and vampires look up expectantly. “It is time,” he announces in a gravelly voice. He reaches for a remote control and holds it up to a projector screen. The words Biting 101 appear, soundtracked by some pretty cheesy elevator music.

  “There’s an instructional video?” I ask incredulously, forgetting my plan for a moment. “Really? I mean, can’t you just point and chomp?” After all, it looks pretty easy in the movies…

  Magnus chuckles. “Sure. But point and chomp on the wrong vein and your blood mate won’t live long enough to earn her fangs.”

  Yikes. “Well, I guess we should practice then,” I say resignedly. “Lots and lots of practice.” Great. As if having his lips touch my neck once isn’t already one time too many.

  The video cuts to a blond vampire, dressed in black and sitting in a cushy armchair. My eyes widen as I realize who it is. None other than Pyrus himself. The Consortium House Speaker. The man who, in the future, will issue our death warrants. A shiver trips down my spine and it’s all I can do not to drop down and try to hide under a pew. I have to remind myself that one, this is a prerecorded video and he’s actually not in the room, and two, even if he were, he doesn’t have a crystal ball to see into the future. To him, I’m simply another Twilight-loving vamp wannabe, of no significance to his unlife whatsoever.

  But still. Super-creepy to see him on the big screen. Especially since no one in the room besides me knows what he’s capable of. Or will be capable of, that is. “Good evening, vampires,” he says in a deep, throaty voice. “And congratulations on reaching the one-thousand-year mark.”

  The room erupts in applause as mortals clap for their future blood mates. Wow, I’d totally forgotten about that part. A vampire literally has to live a thousand years before they let him or her have a partner in crime. Which is a long time not to date, if you ask me.

  “It’s quite an accomplishment,” Pyrus continues. “And we’re looking forward to spending the next thousand years with you and your blood mates in our service.” I scowl. Yeah, servicing Pyrus and his dictatorship. If only these people knew what they were really signing up for when they cast their lot with this jerk.

  “And welcome to our new recruits as well,” Pyrus purrs, his eyes seeming to rove the audience. “You are the best of the best. Hand chosen by our experts for your superior DNA and high-level IQ. I am certain each and every one of you will make fine additions to your new covens, and become loyal servants to the Worldwide Vampire Consortium for all eternity.”

  A spattering of applause ripples through the crowd. Eager mortals who have no idea what they’re actually clapping for cheer for the man on the screen. As I sit there, listening to Pyrus drone on about responsibility and dedication, a feeling of dread and realization starts creeping into my bones.

  Right now I’m the only one on earth who knows what this vampire is capable of. What will happen if his reign is allowed to continue unchecked. Well, my sister and I, that is. We’re the only ones who know how much damage he can cause if allowed to stay in power.

  So even putting aside the whole selfish I-want-Magnus-as-my-boyfriend-again thing, how can we rightly sit back and go on living normal lives, forgetting vampires exist, when Pyrus is still in charge? Sure, if we stay out of it, he won’t be coming after us. Or maybe not even the Blood Coven. But judging from his track record, he’s bound to hurt someone else instead.

  We can’t let him do that.

  Pyrus says something randomly inspirational, everyone claps again, and the video fades to black. The doors open up and blood donors start wheeling out plastic torsos to each vampire, like it’s a CPR class or something. I guess you practice on dummies before you start on the real dummies. The ones who think becoming one of Pyrus’s people is actually a good idea.

  But I have no time to play these reindeer games. I have to find my sister. I rise from the pew, turning to Magnus with a regretful smile. “I’m sorry,” I say. “Can we take a rain check on the bite? There’s something I have to do.”

  6

  Rayne

  I should probably stay home and play video games tonight. After all, I no longer have my vampire-certification class to go to. And Sunny’s not home, probably off celebrating her team’s field hockey victory or something. So it stands to reason that I should stay home and load up my computer, right? Maybe offer up some futuristic video game leetness to my fellow players of the past? I can just imagine their faces when I totally rock that World of Warcraft dungeon no one in this time period has been able to master yet. And maybe I’d even score that amazing one-handed fire sword that the last boss ends up dropping sometimes.

  Or I could always hang out with Mom, I suppose. Spend some quality time with her and take advantage of the fact that she’s lazing around on our couch in flannel pajamas instead of off in another dimension, playing high queen to the Fairyland Light Court. It might be nice, actually, to curl up with her under the afghan, diving into a carton of dairy-free ice cream with an extra large spoon and watching the latest episodes of our favorite TV shows.

  I should do either of those things. Or, you know, something else completely normal and ordinary and vampire free. I made a promise to Sunny, after all. And besides, what good is a second chance if you start doing the same things you did the first time around?

  But
try as I might, I can’t seem to bring myself to turn on the computer and search for a party. Or plop down on the couch and content myself with television. Maybe it’s because I know that the so-called amazing one-handed fire sword I might score will be practically worthless in a few months after the powers-that-be update the game. Or because while spending time with Mom is always nice, everything on TV is bound to be a repeat for me.

  So instead, against my better judgment, I find myself opening up my closet and rummaging through, selecting a red-and-black Goth Loli dress with matching red cape and black platform boots. After donning the outfit, I head into the bathroom to make up my face with my favorite white powder, kohl eyeliner, and bloodred lipstick. Gothing it up to go out.

  I have to say, it’s so weird looking at my reflection in the mirror and seeing a blond girl staring back at me. I look so much like Sunny, even with the makeup on—no wonder Magnus wasn’t able to tell us apart on that fateful night. I vow to swing by the twenty-four-hour drugstore on the way home and buy a bottle of black dye. Mom will kill me all over again for doing it, but it’s a punishment worth undergoing twice if only to stand out again.

  I ask Mom for the keys to her Prius, as Sunny took the Volkswagen Bug we share, and then head outside to start the car. My hands are already shaking when I turn the key in the ignition and I have no idea what kind of shape I’ll end up being in when I reach my forbidden destination.

  Yes, I’m heading to Club Fang. A venue I should definitely not be spending quality time at, seeing as it’s totally a vampire hangout and I’ve just finished lecturing Sunny about how we must strive to live a vampire-free existence from here on out.

  But how can I stay away? As much as I know I should. How can I go back on the promise I’d made to Jareth down in Hades after admitting I had to leave him? I’d promised to find him again and make him fall in love with me, no matter what I had to do. And I wasn’t about to break that promise, even if the current Jareth in this time period has no idea I’d made it…or even who I am to begin with.