Review Responses:
bahamut: The quest in the elemental plane sounds neat. Should I e-mail you? I think I have your address somewhere…
Shiva: If I update twice in one week it's a miracle. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
phoenix: Wolves are my favorite. They're so mysterious. Marina will not be Empress, but she does rule in a way, from behind the scenes. She will remain a love interest though.
Mandy the Vampire Champion: Thank you very much! For the fanart and the review. I've replied to your e-mail, btw.
NeoSparda: Evil writer's block is gone—for now. I think I can take this to the end of SR without too many brain glitches. Thanks for reviewing!
I clambered down the mountain path with the Sanctuary of the Clans coming ever closer into view. Not many served at the "crown jewel" of the coronet that was Kain's empire anymore. Everyone was more concerned about strengthening their own clan's fortifications. All the mortal servants had been driven away. Blood was drunk, not saved for any other purpose. Meals were scarce these days, as fewer mortals were being born. The ones who had access to the best game were the Rahabim, who could break through the protective waterways encircling the Human Sanctuary. Rahab's children simply captured whomever they could and stocked them into huge fishing nets. That was how they did business.
Some vampire guards chose to stay, but the number had been reduced by more than half. Victor had retired. Samuel had lost his position when Zephonim ransacked the palace one evening while he was on watch. It was up to Kain and I to drive them out. I had slain five or so myself due to my growing physical strength. Kain had killed ten or more. After the rest scattered, he thought it best to let some of the guards go, thinking it a conspiracy. In their stead, Kain had hired two more Turelim. Kain particularly liked that clan, for whatever the reason. Darien was one of guards still with us. He too had evolved physically, but his attitude had not. Transforming into my vampiric form once again, I walked through the iron-gate. The old wooden gate had been burned down and since repaired. When I entered, no sentries greeted me as they did before. In fact, this hollow place could be considered abandoned; yet everyone knew better than to assume such. For the duration, there would always be one being present here. The Sanctuary of the Clans had no entertainments, little finery, and whatever courtly manners had been allowed to grow here had promptly withered after the evolutions occurred. Amazing how the lieutenants brought this place to life. With no unity, and these barbaric, uncivilized fledglings being hired, luxury could no longer be cultivated.
I traversed down the damp marble hallways that had lost some or most of their luster over the centuries. It wasn't as if cleanliness was a major priority. That was humans' work in any case. I approached the bronze doors that led to the Throne room and slid them open, totally unprepared for the scene inside. The two Turelim brutes, Konrad and Ivan, had a mortal woman between them, who was desperately struggling against her captors. Her pleas of mercy went unanswered.
"Please, let me go! My blood would be too bitter for your taste!"
"At the moment, your blood is not what we want. We'd rather have your screams instead." Ivan chuckled wickedly.
"Yes, I agree with my brother. We haven't had amusement for so long." Konrad chimed in.
I rushed into the huge chamber so I could inspect the woman more closely. She was outrightly beautiful with her perfect complexion and waist-length smoky brown hair that was loosely waved. It appeared so wonderfully soft. Also, she had the greenest eyes I had ever seen. Something drew me to this human. I could not put my finger on it.
All gazed my way as I came into view. However, my own eyes wandered to the throne itself. Searchingly, I looked into Kain's expression in a futile attempt to read his emotions on this matter. The Emperor of Nosgoth nodded towards me in greeting. "Marina. Right on time. Have you met our little trespasser?"
"You kidnapped me!" the woman roared. Not thinking better of it, she displayed her defiance by spitting on the floor in contempt, aiming for Kain himself in all likelihood.
"You'll pay for that!" Konrad yelled as he backhanded her to the ground.
"Please master, let us keep her below. It'll be a pleasure to break such a feisty wench."
Frowning, I walked over the girl and watched her feebly crawl across the floor while the Turelim guards sadistically guffawed. Standing right in the girl's path of "escape," I addressed her gently. "What is your name?" Purposefully, I kept my voice low and gentle, yet slightly threatening. In my experience, this method of speaking worked for all mortal ears. Those that were smart anyway.
She looked over at me, tears misting her emerald eyes. "Eleanore," she whispered. As I took her in, some sort of pendant tumbled out from the interior of her dress, lying starkly against her pale skin. On a precious golden chain, hung a sparkling red ruby. A sudden flash of memory exploded in my brain of another helpless human female, her back to an alley wall, with the same green eyes and the exact identical necklace. Not again…
Fate had presented itself in the Throne room. Would I save Zara's and now Teresa's descendant once more? What was the significance of the necklace? It obviously did not ward off danger. How could I let this girl be degraded and used as a toy for these fools? Kain did not offer his opinion. I knew his feelings on humanity: all mortals were the same. Even if that were true, I felt I had to protect this one from certain doom.
"It's okay. You will not be harmed," I assured her as Eleanore sat on her heels, trembling from her silky head to the scuffed toes of her boots. I suspected in better spirits she would argue my statement.
"What?" Ivan growled. "You have to be kidding. Or do you just want her for yourself?"
"Silence," I hissed. I wasn't about to let this one push me about. I was his elder. Swinging my gaze over to Kain, he stared into my face searchingly. I could nearly glimpse his thoughts. Why this one? Should she matter?
Trust me, I messaged to him. Vocally, I asked my question. "Could we not spare this one, Lord Kain? I believe I knew her grandmother centuries ago. I recognize the necklace. She's different. I can sense it."
"May I see the necklace, girl?" Kain inquired mildly. It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order. I only hoped that she complied. I remembered how her ancestor Teresa fiercely clung to it, even when two knives were positioned squarely at her throat. With clumsy fingers, Eleanore unclasped the pendant. I took it from her and gave it to Kain. While it had been in my hand, it had felt strangely warm to the touch, as if the stone identified me somehow. Indeed, with the torchlight reflecting off it, the ruby seemed to be made of liquid fire.
Kain studied the necklace closely, looping the chain over his cloven hands. He scrutinized it from every angle, searching for markings or symbols of any kind presumably. However, after closer inspection, it seemed to be just a piece of jewelry. Perhaps extraordinarily well-made, displaying exquisite craftsmanship that had been lost for generations, but ultimately a normal object.A bit disappointed, Kain handed it back to me. Eleanore nearly snatched the pretty necklace out of my hands where she proceeded to fumble with it, desperately trying to clasp it around her neck. The girl was so nervous; she could not complete her task.
"Here. Let me help you." Eleanore cast me a wary glance, as if the idea of a vampire being so close to her neck alarmed her, but really, what choice did she have? She allowed me to pull her to her feet where upon I moved aside her glossy tresses and clipped the ruby securely around her throat. The Turelim surveyed the scene hungrily.
"Tell us, girl. How did such a fine necklace come into your possession?" Kain was no doubt referring to her poor appearance; to her dirty woolen dress, and a drab brown shawl that had holes chewed through in several places.
"It's a family heirloom," she said weakly, "dating all the way back to the Pillars. It has passed down to the oldest female of every generation of our family."
Kain smirked. "How quaint. But, spare us the genealogy lesson. Who was the first to obtain it, and through what means?"
"It was a wedding present from Brendan, my grandfather, to Katherine, my grandmother, over a thousand years ago, back when the Pillars were pure."
For me, all time stopped. My mind froze. Brendan. Katherine. Katie. This couldn't be a coincidence. "Your grandmother," I interrupted. "Katherine. Was her last name Mathis?"
Eleanore was visibly shocked. "Y-yes," she stammered. "How in the world did you know? Or at least it was before she married my grandfather."
The room spun around me. Just when I thought nothing else could surprise me. Katherine Mathis, my younger half-sister. Brendan was Zara's younger brother. After I had been abducted, Katie had continued to mature and married into Zara's family, hence the connection of emerald green eyes. Oh, but then this would make this girl…my niece. My own blood relative.
"Marina, what is it?" Kain sounded vaguely worried. "Are you ill?"
"I think we're related," I confessed, smiling weakly. "In my human life, my sister's name was Katie. I was known as Marina Mathis, daughter of Anarcrothe."
"So, it is true. I didn't believe the rumors about our family being connected with the States Guardian." Eleanore's lips could barely move. She was stunned with revelation.
"But the blood of Katherine's mother, my mother, flows in both our veins," I pointed out. Eleanore looked to be none too sure about that.
"I take it we're not killing her then," Ivan said mournfully.
With a wave of his claw, Kain dismissed both warriors. This was now our situation. As pleased as I was about my original family surviving, Eleanore understandably did not seem too thrilled about the prospects of a vampire aunt.
"Are you keeping her?" Kain asked mildly.
"No," I decided immediately. "She belongs to the world of light. She has no place here. Besides, it's not safe. I shall escort her back to the Human Sanctuary this night."
Kain did not reply.
( )
Eleanore was currently wearing a blue-gray velveteen cloak over her shabby wool clothing. The article was mine, but I had others. It wasn't as if I got unbearably cold anymore. We walked together in silence. More than once on the trip, I could feel her keen, hard, emerald eyes on me, but that was to be expected. Why should I be trusted? I was a vampiress, and she was a mortal woman. All the girl could do was pray I would keep my bargain and bring her to safety which I had every intention of doing.
Eleanore suddenly broke the silence. "What are you going to do with me?"
"I told you, I'm taking you home. We're almost there."
"Aren't you going to feed upon me?"
"I promised not to."
"Forgive me, but I never believed it. My parents both think vampires are evil incarnate. In fact, my father and uncles are all vampire hunters. That's how I was discovered. I'm a look out for them, scouting to see if there were any vampires threatening the area, but one sneaked up behind me. I tried to call for help…" she trailed off.
I snorted derisively. "Your father hasn't much respect for you if he takes you along on such expeditions."
"It's for my own good, he claims. Although I am not his wished for son, he treats me like it. Says I should be able to defend myself. My mother agrees with this. As you can see, I'm an enemy of sorts against your kind."
"Why are you telling this to a vampire?" I inquired, more suspicious than angry. "That brazen attitude could get you killed."
She smiled a bit. "Just seeing if you keep your word, miss."
She had courage. I'll admit that. I could more or less see the resemblance between us, for we both had the same curling hair that tumbled over our shoulders like a waterfall. However, this girl had no Guardian blood within her. Katie and I had different fathers. Both had left when we were infants if I can recall correctly. I knew not of the future, but this time, my human fifty-fold great niece would be protected.
Eventually, the gates of the Human Sanctuary came into view. I dared not tread inside. I would only watch over Eleanore until she got inside. Then, I would leave. I too was taking a risk. I remembered Teresa's father; bushy red beard and battleaxe displayed quite vividly. Vampire hunters never ceased in their crusades.
Doubtfully, Eleanore gazed longingly at the city, then at me. Calmly, I looked back at her, my arms at my sides. I had no desire to attack. Eleanore smiled rather innocently. "Thank you. For everything. Now we have a vampire in the family!"
"Yes, but I don't think I'd want to meet your relatives," I joked bitterly.
"I won't tell them. I promise." The woman left my side and walked a few feet ahead. Quickly stopping in her tracks, she dared to turn on her heel to glance back at me…lovingly? I didn't want this mortal to get the wrong idea. Yet, I had a burning question that needed to be investigated. It was now or never.
"Eleanore? Please, is your necklace mystical in any manner? Or is it an ordinary piece of jewelry? I will not take it from you in any case. I am only curious about it."
Eleanore set her eyes down upon the sparkling ruby and stroked it tenderly. "It is an heirloom crafted in the days before the Pillars became corrupt. It is a pure stone, maybe the last pure thing that exists. Is that not magical enough?"
I believed her. "Very well. May you be blessed with good luck in life, Eleanore."
"And in yours, Marina." I watched her slim form march through the river mist and promptly disappear inside the Human Sanctuary's walls after sharing a few words with a mortal guardsman. She was out of harm's way. For the present.
( )
I returned to the Sanctuary of the Clans later. In my wolf from, I made the trip back with ease. As the large stone palace came into view, I was immediately disturbed and a bit amused at the same time. A large bonfire had been built in the front of the wrought iron gates and the Turelim guards were whooping and dancing around it. Why did everything interesting happen while I was away?
A vampiress again, I approached the madly laughing idiots. "Whatever is going on?"
Darien blinked at me and grinned broadly. "Marina! Dance with us. Dance for joy!" Darien grabbed me with his clawed hands, pressing me to his bare green muscled chest. We stumbled together on the dusty earth in a parody of a waltz, his large hairy feet crushing mine. "Ouch! Darien, please!" I shoved him back. Still giggling, he chose to continue his "waltz" with Ivan instead.
"Tell me what's going on at least. What is there to be so happy about?"
"Think, Marina. What is the best thing that could happen to us?" Konrad questioned.
I folded my arms across my chest. "The Pillars have been restored."
This only made them hoot harder. "No, Marina! Dumah is dead! Do you hear? Dumah. Is. Dead!" Konrad sang.
"He's dead," Ivan agreed. "Rotten bastard."
My mouth agape, I stated at each of them in turn. Genuine happiness shone in their eyes, and they all smiled at me dumbly. They were serious. "Excuse me," I gasped, and ran inside Sanctuary. I began to dart towards the Throne room, but thought better of it. He would not be attending an audience now, would he? He would most likely be strategizing. The library it is then. I located the polished oak and brass decorated doors, swinging them open quietly.
And there he was. Sitting morosely at a faraway table that was distinctly larger than all the others. He was writing in a book, perhaps his own journal. Meaning painful death if I peeked over his shoulder to read the rune script that I understood quite well. I never allowed ancient knowledge to die. "Kain," I called softly. "Are you okay?"
"You have heard the news?" Kain banged the brilliant maroon cover of the journal shut, slamming down his writing utensil in unison.
"I expected you would be glad," I mused.
"I cannot abide my son's stupidity. He brings shame down on all our houses!" Kain snarled.
"What exactly happened to Dumah?"
Kain stood up and wheeled on me, his crimson cape whipping around. His eyes were alight with anger. "My son got too cocky. The human settlements that he conquered were building a secret citizens army, and he knew nothing about it. Nothing! He called himself a king, and now he's a corpse!"
I was immediately concerned. Kain wasn't the type to rage on so. Sitting on a nearby tabletop, I listened to the story. "Dumah underestimated them. His arrogance has been his downfall. The mortals came on a clear day where sunshine was plentiful, and slain them while they slept. There are dozens of Dumahim carcasses scattered everywhere in the snow."
"As for Dumah himself? How did he die?"
"Staked apparently. He's still situated in his throne. The incident happened three days ago. Shortly after you left for the Human Sanctuary, a flood of Dumahim kneeled at my feet and begged for forgiveness. They are leaderless and vulnerable."
"Do you trust them?" I tapped the table beneath me patiently with one talon.
"What do you think?" Kain growled. "But, they are unfortunates. Strong unfortunates. We could use their protection. They have brought several of their treasures along in the attempt of placating us. Believe me, Marina, it would be wise to allow them access here. I would prefer to keep an eye on the fragmented clan, so plots cannot be formulated."
"Could they not revive Dumah?" I pressed. "By pulling out the stake?"
"Stakes, Marina. And yes, they could. Yet, knowing the psychology of the Dumahim Clan, do you think they would?"
No. They would not. With Dumah dead, his children could rule themselves, without their sire's approval. Loyalty was not a Dumahim trademark. The Dumahim knew they had a shining opportunity here. They could repopulate and take back those lost territories when they grew more robust, and then occupy some new land that they could ransack themselves, without paying tribute to a clan lord. It would take time, but what else did we vampires have?
Kain's deep voice cut into my deliberation. "So, Marina. Did you escort Eleanore back? Or did you choose against it?"
"What do you think?" I countered in the same manner he had with a teasing smile spreading over my lips. I could not help it.
Kain returned my mischievous expression, his anger seemingly evaporated. "I think you let her go, and walked her to the front gate."
No, actually. I watched her enter from afar."
"That's what I thought," Kain murmured, half to himself. This was a side of the emperor that others had scarcely even glimpsed. I was pleased I was able to cheer Kain up. Not many could anymore.
I wasn't expecting what happened next between the ceiling-high wooden bookcases that spilled over with leather tomes. Amongst the muted candlelight, Kain kissed me fervently. Eagerly, I returned his gesture of affection. Behind closed doors, which included the library, the bedchamber, and the dining hall; this was appropriate. Kain was less inclined to proclaim his now obvious fondness for me in front of his guards and messengers. Still, maybe it was better this way. Some demonstrations should be kept private.
Regretfully, clawed feet were clicking in the worn marble corridor. They had discovered us. Stealthily, they would wait by the door, eavesdropping while under the pretense of "keeping a good watch." Would Kain hire the brutish Dumahim too for guard duty? Why not cast them all out? No one could be trusted.
Kain broke the kiss and stepped back. "Not here," he murmured. "I believe I may be summoned at any moment."
But he was wrong. The clattering of armor and boisterous voices passed on by, leaving us in solitude yet again. "Come," Kain whispered. "Outside."
Yes, sometimes it was better being out of Sanctuary than in. The walls were too thin here. Making our way across the deep lushness of the wine carpet, we left behind the world of wood and paper and prepared to enter a mystical dimension under the midnight sky, when mortals like Eleanore slept, and vampires like us lived. Hand in hand.
TBC