Chapter Fourteen Full Circle
What? They disappeared? Elsabett asked, and van Helsing took another long swig of sacramental wine and nodded.
Yeh. Don't you remember?
Ladmira grasped the bottle and pulled on it. Ghanja-Tel, I think you're drunk. He yanked back, refusing to let go.
I know when I'm drunk, thank you, he huffed. Elsabett sighed and leaned her chin on one hand.
How are you doing over there, Vlad? she called, glancing at the black-haired vampire curled in the corner with a goblet of blood.
Just �ne, he whispered hoarsely. Thanks for asking.
Ladmira cleared her throat. You were saying, Ghanja-Tel, how most of the surviving Sephardi mysteriously disappeared?
He laughed. Wow, that's the most words I've ever heard you string together at once. She glared at him, unamused. And my name, Ghanja-Tel'. If you think about it, it's kind of funny-sounding. Gahn-yah-tell. What's it mean, anyway?Light of hope, she said tersely. Sephardi. Explain. Now! he muttered, taking a pull of wine. You don't have to bite my head off. She smacked the bottle from his hands, spraying wine across the table and onto Elsabett. Van Helsing made a sound of dismay.
Damn it! he growled, shaking vintage off his hands. And look what you did to Az-Mavari Elsa said in her best commanding voice, answer Ladmira's question. His eyes widened, and he sat up straight, nodding nervously.
Um, yeah. Of course. Sorry about that. Brushing hair out of his eyes with the back of his hand, he leaned on the table and took a deep breath. When was it again? Kalt, I'd have to say about 34300don't remember the exact date It was after the Soul Reaver was forged, I remember that much, and before I got cursed by the Sarafan. I don't know what happened to them. I remember that a great deal of the Sephardi went mad and committed suicide, and some of them were ensorcelled, but II really have no idea what could have happened to the rest of them. It's as if they stopped existing. Ladmira said, leaning on her hands. I remember the Soul Reaver, but not other Sephardi disappearing, so I suppose I was trapped some time between them.Would Janos know? Elsabett wondered, and Ladmira smiled. The Sephardi in question suddenly appeared and laid a hand on his lifemate's shoulder.
Ladmira? You wanted me? he asked. Elsa gaped.
Wow, that'simpressive. You didn't even Whisper. Ladmira's smile widened.
Janos and I have always shared a special rapport, she explained, and looked up at him. He nodded in agreement, then his features clouded.
The disappearance? he asked, and sighed. I never quite understood it. I remember—I was speaking with a colleague of mine, someone who had—Janos Audron! van Helsing shouted, cutting him off. He leapt up from his seat, knocking back the stool he had been using, and clapped the blue Sephardi on the shoulder so hard he was nearly knocked to the ground. Thank the Gods, man! I thought for sure you were done for when that oraid-kan'yen-shenadrinozh' Raziel ripped your heart out! Janos blinked in shock, then laughed nervously.
Ahh, that. Right. No, fortunately, Ladmira took care of that. Anyway, as I was saying— he spun away from the overeager monster-hunter and clapsed his hands in a businesslike manner— I was speaking to a friend of mine when it happened, and he simplydisappeared. I remember seeing a few very odd things—I wasn't quite as skilled then with magic as I am now, so I couldn't identify the exact phenomenon— He paused to scratch his head. Actually, now that I think on it, I thought—I thought I saw myself for an instant, but I—I looked different. And I know I could sense there was a single element involved in it— He rubbed his hands together absent-mindedly, staring up at the ceiling— one of the spiritual elements, I think, not the physical Ah, yes! Time! It was time! Then he realised the implications of what he had just said, and his expression altered. Rik'lyad! They were taken through time? But to where—I mean, when? by whom? and why A tiny illusion of Andhahim, bizarrely deformed and disproportionate yet oddly adorable, suddenly appeared on Janos' shoulder and tsked at him.
Squiddy is a false god, Janos Audron! If you're going to take names in vain, use one that at least means something! Then she disappeared, leaving a pair of very confused Sephardi and a slightly-more-confused superhuman. Elsabett, however, giggled. Dracula chose to ignore everything transpiring in that corner of the room, having long since retreated to his happy place where everything made sense and his brain didn't hurt.
You said you saw yourself, Janos? Elsabett said, wiping her hands on van Helsing's coat. How did you look different?It's dif�cult to pinpoint, he maintained after a moment of thought. I remember thinking something at the time, but II can't recall what it was. It was millennia ago, you realise.Maybe gee, I look old'? Ladmira suggested, idly drawing one �ngernail along the woodgrain of the table. Janos stared at her, shocked.
You know, I—I think that was it. How—?I think it's obvious, beloved. You are going to travel back in time, snatch up all the unaccounted-for Sephardi, and bring them forward to the present. The others gaped at her.
Gjadin, woman, Dracula muttered. How on Earth did you arrive at a conclusion like that so fast?Well, you know what they say, van Helsing chuckled, spreading his hands in a good-natured shrug. Behind every great man is a woman who does all the thinking'.I don't think they say that, Janos protested, but with no particular strength. Besides, it's not that she does all my thinking for me. Our intellects simply lie in different areas. I'm a general and a strategist, while she enjoys working through mysteries and riddles. He shook his head and stroked his lifemate's hair. Though I could never understand that. Puzzles always drove me mad. Ladmira laughed softly.
Elsabett sighed and attempted to stay on topic. Do you have the power necessary to journey back in time and move so many individuals, Janos? I know you're very strong, but such an undertaking seemsdraining, if not impossible. Could you accomplish it by yourself?
He thought for a moment. Probably not, he said. I'd likely need the help of someone else powerful, like Az-Mavari. He sighed. Unfortunately, she's been dead for— Elsabett and van Helsing looked at him askance. Oh, rightCan Kain use magic? Ladmira asked.
I don't know Elsa said, then remembered, —but—but his daughter is going to become the next Timestreamer! If we had some way of contacting her through time, perhaps we could—Or Andhahim, Ladmira suggested, with a glance at her lifemate. Van Helsing grunted in acknowledgement and rose from his seat to procure another bottle of sancti�ed Sarafan wine. Janos watched him, took in the rest of the room, and spooked.
Where are we, anyway? he hissed. I don't like the feel of—That makes two of us, Vlad mumbled. Ladmira glanced over her shoulder, saw van Helsing searching through the racks of bottles, and made a frustrated noise.
We're in a cellar beneath the Sarafan Stronghold, Elsabett explained, following Ladmira's line of sight. Unfortunately, I had no idea the great monster-hunter van Helsing had a drinking problem. Ghanja-Tel! Get away from there! Rising from her chair, she stalked over to the super-soldier and gripped him �rmly below the shoulder. He let out a cry of pain, but did not struggle.
Ahh, Gods, Lady Elsabett. I see you remembered that nerve-pinch you used to use on me he moaned.
Oh, stop it. I'm not holding you hard enough to injure you!I know, I know. It's simply that there's a nerve there. Argh And he suffered himself to be led back to the vampires gathered around the table.
I think this place is too tempting to him, Elsabett grumbled. Why don't we go speak with Kain?Yes, why not? Janos agreed, and mildly surprised her by teleporting everyone present.
A skeletal framework of long timber beams had risen around the fallen Pillars, and Elsabett glanced around in appreciative awe at the various tasks being carried out when they arrived. Avital, clutching a sheaf of what may have actually been real paper and not vellum, pointed and directed her brothers, most of whom seemed annoyed at the fact that she was not participating in the menial labour. Nikhelda, who apparently did possess some sort of odd levitation talent, occasionally rose up beyond the level of the existing structure to survey it. Kain often assisted by using his telekinetic abilities to hoist building materials, and an unfamiliar vampress with pale-gold hair seemed to be inspecting and psychokinetically shaping large blocks of stone. Upon a second glance, Elsabett realised that there were actually several vampires she did not recognise. Van Helsing pointed at Nikhelda, who was the �rst to notice the newcomers, and called out, Hey, it's a Sídhe! The Siren, surprised by their sudden appearance, alighted on one of the curved rafters and called out. Kain glanced up from the stone he had been examining and, to Elsabett's surprise, suddenly appeared directly before her.
Lady Elsabett, he said with a smile. What do you think of my castle? I realise it's not very impressive yet, but in timeIt seems your clan has grown since last we met, she remarked quietly, and he �inched unexpectedly.
Ahh, corpus bones. Forgive my lack of hospitality. Yes, indeed, I have gained a few new lieutenants. I believe you know Avital he pointed at the dark-haired young vampress who, at the moment, was berating Turel about something— the young woman in gray is Meryem, my second daughter' and he in the blinding orange is Magnus, my youngest lieutenant. Magnus, in turn, commands Marcus, a thin-limbed vampire clearly unused to physical exertion, more well-built and obviously a warrior, and Faustus. Most of the other male lieutenants gave Faustus a wide berth, occasionally glancing at him as if he carried some horrendous disease. A sudden vision shocked Elsabett, of Faustus, Zephon, and a delighted girl whom she somehow knew was a Hylden in a loving familial embrace.
A swooping shadow overhead preceded the graceful landing of Astrid, who let out a disgusted sound as one of her long primary feathers came loose and drifted, spinning, to the ground.
That's the second one today, she grumbled. If I keep molting at this rate, in a month's time I won't be able to get off the ground! Elsabett, receiving a sudden �ash of prescience, tried to phrase it delicately.
Losing feathers isn't all of it, she said quietly, and Astrid spun around to face her, looking none-too-pleased. What do you plan to name your daughter? Astrid blinked, then her eyebrows rose and she took a step back.
she called over her shoulder, what do you want to name your daughter?What? What daughter? he asked, perched on a rafter and attempting to direct the placement of crossbeams. I don't have a— One of his feet suddenly slipped, and only Kain's sudden telekinetic boost kept the eldest lieutenant from falling in a most undigni�ed manner. You—you're kidding, right! Elsabett couldn't help laughing. Dracula poked her, making a tsk sound.
I think you enjoy your clairvoyance ability far too much, my love, he said in her ear, but she felt the suppressed laugh behind his tone. The two of them were suddenly pushed aside by van Helsing, who let out a growl of rage.
he hissed in Teutonic, glaring up at Raziel. Raziel of Westfalia! I haven't forgotten how you murdered Janos Audron! Elsabett stared at the monster-hunter in shock, for she had had no idea he spoke her native tongue. Raziel's reply surprised her even more.
? Sorry, but have we met? the lieutenant asked in perfect Teutonic, stepping off the rafter and spreading his wings to glide down. Kain glanced at van Helsing, then spread his hands in befuddlement.
Raziel, how long have you been able to speak Teutonic the Lord of Nosgoth asked. Elsabett found herself inordinately pleased that her ally spoke her native language, and with a �awless accent to boot.
Since always, Raziel replied, giving Kain an odd look. I was born in what's now Düsseldorf.
Van Helsing snarled like an angry wolf, reaching under his cloak for one of his spinny-missiles. Don't pretend like you don't remember, you son of a bitch! You were Lord of the Sarafan—Moebius had ordered you to execute Janos Audron—
Raziel blinked. When I was a—? The monster-hunter attempted to charge forth, but was �rmly grabbed by Janos and Ladmira.
Er, Ghanja-Tel, Janos said quietly in Teutonic, I understand you're angry, but since I'm alive now—Besides which, Raziel is a dhampir now and not a Sarafan— Ladmira explained in slightly more halting Teutonic.
I don't think there's any call to— Janos cut off suddenly as Raziel shot into the air and hung there, as if hauled off his feet by an invisible noose.
Let the human go, growled a smooth deep female voice, and Raziel let out a sudden cry of pain. He and I will work together to punish the one who despoiled my sister.
Astrid whirled around, eyes wide in livid shock. she hissed. How dare you say such a thing! Elsabett turned to follow the vampress' glare and saw a tall, slender woman, with wide feathery wings the colour of an icy winter sky, standing coldly just behind Ladmira. Her hair was silvery-white tinged with blue, her eyes were red, and she was clad in crimson silk and armour of an unusual style.
You are my little sister, the pale-haired vampress said in a dangerously quiet voice, and I have always protected you.I am not little, Enkeli! Astrid spat. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. I don't need to you control my life!Is that so? Enkeli murmured, arching an eyebrow. She lifted her �ngers slightly, and Raziel shot into the air with a cry of shock. Kain drew the Soul Reaver and took a step towards her.
Curse it, woman! You dare to intrude in my demesnes and attack my lieutenant! he demanded. Stand down at once or I shall be forced to attack you!
Enkeli regarded him calmly. The legendary Kain, yes? She reached into the air, and Raziel �oated toward her, in less pain but clearly apprehensive. Now why would a Supervampire of your caliber want a half-alive lieutenant? Raziel snarled at her, reacting to the veiled insult, and Enkeli sighed in disapproval. Really, Astrid, I thought your standards would be higher.
Astrid clenched her �sts and then �exed her �ngers, as if forcing herself not to lash out. I've heard you speak of the force called Recognition among the Fairy folk, she said measuredly. Do you believe it can apply to formerly-human vampires?You don't believe in Recognition at all, Enkeli stated. What do you care?I'm saying that Raziel and I Recognised! Astrid hissed.
Enkeli glared at her coldly. You dare to suggest that you found your soulmate before I have found mine? I am many years your elder, sister, and I am still single.Maybe that's because you're a snotty bitch, Astrid grumbled, and Enkeli's eyes narrowed. Raziel abruptly dropped to the ground.
If you wish to challenge me, Astrid, Enkeli said quietly, simply say so.I never said I wanted to challenge you! Astrid roared. I just don't need you to rule my life for me! And if you expect me to give you unquestioning loyalty in all things because you're older than I am, you're going to be sorely disappointed!Now, now, Nikhelda said in a soothing tone, taking a step toward the icy-winged vampress, who suddenly glanced at her, eyes widening. I can understand your sentiment, Lady, for I had a sister too. There comes a time when we must realise that there are some things over which we have no controlYou remind me of Enkeli whispered, and Nikhelda shook her head, laying a long-�ngered hand on the other woman's shoulder.
Come, now. Why don't we speak of this elsewhere? The Siren smiled warmly and started toward the woods. Enkeli's eyes followed her, �lled with suppressed longing and deep loss. She abruptly took to the air and winged into the trees.
Dracula put a hand on Elsabett's shoulder. I think we may have come at a bad—Maybe so, she murmured, but my interest has been piqued She strode over to Raziel and helped him reorient. What was that Ghanja-Tel was saying about you being a Lord of the Sarafan?Ghanja-Tel? I know no Ghanja-Tel, Raziel grumbled. And I don't know anything about Moebius—wasn't that that old bastard that came and chided you for saving me from Kain?—ordering me to kill Janos. I remember being a Sarafan when I was alive, but I don't think I'd forget something like— He suddenly stopped, his eyes widening and the colour (such as it was) draining from his face, and Elsabett sensed the shifting of forces around him, like a strand of Time slipping into place, and Raziel whispered an oath in archaic Teutonic.
she killed me he hissed. He shook his head, angrily scrubbing a hand through his hair as if trying to remove an unpleasant thought. I didn't remember until just now. Scheiße, II thinkthat's true. I was the commander, and had all the goons under me— he gestured to take in the other lieutenants, some of whom sneered indignantly at him— we went to the aerie He trailed off and bit his lip, the long-unknown guilt preventing him from completing the thought. Pieces clicked together in Elsa's mind, and she gasped.
Oh, Ye'el, I understand now. Moebius said that you—you were supposed to kill yourself. I didn't understand what that meant, but I do now. You, as a vampire—only not a vampire, somethingwraithlike—were ordained to travel back in time and slay your Sarafan self—but when I prevented Kain from destroying you, that destiny was disrupted, so—so whatever you may have remembered from before didn't actually happen. And I do remember, now, that I saw a vision of the past right after I stopped Kain, and now that I have seen Enkeli, I know it was she that killed you.