Chapter Eight- The Vision

Mahad casually looked up to see a falcon flying overhead. It was too high to tell its gender, but he guessed it was Isis as she had hinted at watching him as a bird. I hope I do shapeshift. It must be incredible to be able to fly. Actually, I know it is as Isis did describe her flight the day after she got wings.

Isis would have smiled if she could. Daytime flight was much better than nighttime and with a falcon's eyesight it was a lot better. This power is the best! she thought. I can become any animal I want and for as long as I want. I have access to the eyesight of a bird, the strength of the wolf, the speed of a horse, and the ability to swim as a crocodile. I'll be able to survive anywhere in the world. She swooped and dived, delighting in her wings' subtle adjustment to the winds beneath her.

She was circling at one point when she spotted Mahad alone with his arm outstretched and looking up at her. She immediately knew what to do and swooped down to land on his arm. He brought her a little closer and stroked her chest feathers. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked.

She clicked her beak before saying, "The best. You would not believe what I can see up there with these eyes."

"A good deal, I imagine."

"I will need to acquire some blood for you. You will need it after you're turned. I certainly did."

"Master Mahad!" a voice called and Isis took off before the magician turned to see a man being restrained by two guards. The Ring glowed gently and Mahad was thrilled. "Very good, men. Place him in the dungeon and return to patrol."

"Yes, Master Mahad." The guards left with their prisoner and Mahad stepped out of the alley, hoping to find more criminals. The more, the better for Isis and me.

Isis sank her fangs into the woman's neck, withdrew, and quickly poked her claws into the holes to keep it open so she could collect some blood into a small vial she had brought with her. Once enough had been collected, she removed her claws and the marks healed. She eased the woman to the ground. "Thank you," she said softly as she sealed the vial. "I could have used my claws to cut your neck, but I wanted to make it less painful for you." She exited the scene, became a cat, and sprinted off for the palace, resuming her true form as she drew close to it. She entered behind the guards and met Mahad under some shade. "I got the blood," she said softly.

"Good. Patrol was good too. We found three more criminals. I think you suspicions of a calm before a storm was apt."

"Three? That's great." She looked at the sky. "I think I have time for some reading before sunset."

"And I have a class to teach." He kissed Isis' cheek before they split up to do their activities.

Hours later, Mahad and Isis slipped out of the palace gates and quickly made their way to the last house on the right. She exchanged excited looks with Mahad before they entered the house.

Mut was waiting for them and gestured to the chair. "Please, priest. Have a seat."

Mahad avoided Mut's gaze as he sat. Isis had reminded him of Mut's mind control power and he had no desire to be mind-controlled. Isis watched eagerly to see Mahad turned, relieved that she had delivered him here safely. She then felt her arms being pinned behind her and looked back to see two vampires. She struggled in their grip. "What is this?" she demanded, getting Mahad to look back. "Isis!" he cried.

Mut planted her hands on his shoulders, drawing his attention to her. "Foolish human," she hissed, her eyes turned red and glowing and her fangs grew out. "I had no intention to turn you. All men, human or vampire, are traitors no matter who or what they are. Isis' infatuation with you will be her death so I will save her by draining you."

"No!" Isis screamed as Mut sank her fangs into Mahad. My vision! It's coming true! I can't let him die!" Isis growled before she took the form of a wolf and lashed out with her back claws, catching both girls in the legs. They cried out and reflexively grabbed their legs. Isis dropped to all fours, swung her forepaws with all her strength and broke one arm on each girl before turning to see Mahad on the ground pale and Mut grinning at him.

"Almost there," she said as she crouched down to look into Mahad's semi-glazed eyes. "You still have enough blood and energy in you to move a little but I'll soon fix that."

"Leave him alone!" Isis snarled as she stalked closer.

Mut looked up at the angry wolf and sighed. "Oh, honestly Isis. Men are trouble and us women always suffer from their cruelty. I am sparing you an eternity of heartache by disposing of-," Mut then screamed and the reason for it was obvious: A blade was buried in her chest, right where the heart was. Mut collapsed backwards, eyes blank and unstaring.

Mahad groaned as he laid back. He could feel his heart beating slowly. I do not have much time left. This is my death, just as Isis foresaw. A shadow fell over him and he opened his eyes to see Isis in her vampire form. "Isis," he whispered.

"Hang on, Mahad." Isis gently bit his neck, sucked a tiny bit of blood, then scratched her arms and put it in Mahad's mouth. Her blood dripped into his mouth and he swallowed automatically. He continued to drink until Isis had removed her arm, the scratch healed as it was a minor wound. Mahad's eyes lost their glazed look before widening at feeling his heart slowing further and then stopping. He gave a gasp and a groan as his incisors lengthened into fangs and his skin returned to its tanned state.

Isis seized the handle of the sword, yanked it out, and used it to behead Mut to insure her death before aiming it at the girls. "Where are the others?" she asked as Mahad staggered to his feet.

"Not here. Mut sent them to find a new city to live in. She knew you wouldn't like her killing Mahad."

"Fine. When they do find somewhere else and return, than all of you move. If you don't, I will kill you." The girls trembled as Isis gave Mahad the sword and he carefully wrapped it before putting it back from where he had secreted it and followed Isis outside. Once they had put some distance between them and the house, Isis pulled out the vial and passed it to Mahad who didn't hesitate in opening it and downing the contents. He made a face as he finished. "That wasn't pleasant," he said.

"That's because it wasn't straight from the source. It'll taste better in the morning but at least you can shorten your fangs now."

Mahad smiled and his fangs shrank to normal length. "So, your vision did happen but I survived."

"I only saw you pale before a vampire, not that you were really dead. That was just my interpretation."

"Okay. You have a point. So, let's go home and tomorrow I can gain a new power."

Isis hugged Mahad before heading home. Her vision concerning him had come to pass, they had overcome it, and Mahad was now a vampire. The two of them would be together forever and would witness the future of the world together as well.

Isis released her victim and turned to the man who saw her attack. "You saw nothing," she commanded. His eyes went blank as he forgot what he saw. Isis headed for the first cell that was out of sight of the other two. She saw the unconscious man and a hawk, the latter looking up at her.

The beak clicked. "I can shapeshift," Mahad said.

"Wonderful," she said. She became a lioness while Mahad became a lion, showing that they could go from one form to another. The two rubbed heads, purring before becoming vampires again. "What say we fly later on?"

"Sounds good to me. I want to try out the hawk I had been."

"I think I'll be a hawk too. I haven't been one yet."

Mahad and Isis left the dungeon so that the former could have guards bring up the prisoners before he and Isis proceeded to the Throne Room as immortal lovers and vampires.

The End