Miyu seen the drawing so perfectly on the stone wall. The man had Lava's same dark blue robe, the same gloomful mask. His arms were outstretched toward people gathered around him. They were bowing almost in worship. She gasped.
Behind her, Acaru said. "Yes, what a tale this one is. He placed his hand over the stone. Your friend Lava was very famous many many years ago."
"What is this, really?" Miyu said, "Tell me. Why is Lava-" She broke off.
"I will tell you, my Miyu. Lava was once a god here. The people worshipped him."
"How do you know this?"
"Read the pictures, it tells a story. This is Lava's holy shrine and the primitive civilization sought him so as a god. Look here." He pointed to a picture of a starburst of light in the sky and Lava's figure blurred in it.
"Ask him about it if you ever return." Acaru laughed darkly.
"Do you ever plan on returning me or do you think you can keep me around for a century or two?"
Acaru looked at Miyu with a pleased look in his eyes. He liked her humor. But could he really be considering what she said?
"Come now." Acaru took her hand and led her outside, "We have much to see. For this night is growing longer."
"Wait!" Miyu pulled away from his hand, "I want to look at the shine more." She walked back inside. Feeling disregarded, Acaru went back inside with her. Miyu looked at the pictures on the wall.
She had a plan.
If she could only communicate with her mind. If she could send him some message where she was. Although, she might be too far away for Lava to hear her mind but she had to try. Acaru came beside her and put his hand on her shoulder firmly. Would he know what she was up to?
Lava! Lava! Miyu screamed in her mind. Acaru pulled her back from the walls. He somehow sensed there was something wrong but he did not know what.
The blood bond Miyu shared with Lava was powerful. They were linked together. Would he find her?
Acaru forcefully dragged her outside. Miyu gave in and stopped trying to call Lava. Acaru soon became less suspicious and led her away from the shrine.
"We do not have time for this." He said, "I'm sorry love, we can't stay here any longer." They were heading back into the jungle.
Miyu stopped. Acaru, impatient, turned around and was about to shout angrily at her when he seen she had picked up something.
She held a doll made out of sticks and grass. It was still intact but was very fragile and old. Acaru became amused at the doll. He took it gently from her and cupped it in his hands.
"What a lovely thing these people made." He said pleasantly and then snatched the head of the doll and ripped it off. The body bursted into threads and he dumped it into the dirt. Miyu looked at him angrily and he smiled wickedly, "Now come. No more playing these games!"
The vampire fiercely took her arm and yanked her along. She let out an angrily wail. He was growing more nervous by the minute, "You dare play these games with me!" An then Miyu knew it. She knew now he had sensed what Miyu was doing and he percepted something, with his great power, that Miyu could not.
They were about to take flight when Miyu broke away from him. She bolted into the jungle but Acaru was right behind her. He was not playing games. He jumped onto Miyu and held her down. She scratched at his body but the vampire was firmly planted on her. He began to laugh.
Screaming in rage, she dove her nails into his flesh, blood falling onto her kimono and skin. Acaru, still full of cackles, licked the blood off her finger tips.
Suddenly the weight of his body was flown off. She jumped to her knees and seen Acaru was sprawled onto the ground and clawing his way up. She spun around and found her lover.
He did not wear his mask and his face was full of sorrow. She found herself in Lava's arms. He had come.
But Acaru was standing before them, a blast of rage and hatred in his face.
To Be Continued. . .
