Through Kate's eyes….

My head swirled and my stomach did another flip. Finally, all the poison that had been laying in my stomach seemed to spew forward into the toilet. I instantly felt better except for a blinding headache.

I had woken up a half hour ago and thought that maybe I was still drunk when my stomach began to broil and my tongue started to sweat. In fear of what was coming I ran to the bathroom as soon as possible, praying it would be over quickly. It seemed no amount of resurrection or dark power could save me from the dreaded hang over.

I flushed the contents of the toilet and then sat on the cold tile for a few moments. Everything came back with a slow clarity. My argument with Richard, Santanico's arrival, drinking and dancing and then of course going outside. Even now I blushed just thinking about my blatant offer to have Richard sleep in the bed with me. What the hell was I thinking? Who was I kidding? I knew that the attraction I felt for Richard went deeper than one drunken night with no inhibitions. Even before I got plastered and we were in his office, I knew he was going to kiss me and what was worse, I wanted it, deep down I knew he did too.

Then again he had turned down the offer to stay with me. Though I knew the reason behind his rejection, but still it left a sting and a question: would he turn it down again if I was sober? Would it be something he would be able to turn down if we both had our heads? I wasn't sure and that was the thing that would drive me crazy, not knowing.

I got up from the floor and quickly grabbed onto the counter to steady myself. I swayed for a moment, afraid I might upchuck again. When the nausea passed I turned on the cold water and splashed it on my face.

As I stared at my reflection I ran a hand down my cheek. I could still feel Richard gentle hands removing my makeup and then all of those pins from my head.

I decided that I wasn't getting up today. My clock said it was almost noon but, I didn't care. I stumbled back into my room and shut off the light. Instantly the room was enveloped in completely blackness. I let my muscles relax and my mind drift back into sleep.


"You ever pull that shit again Tanner and I will personally drive a stake through your heart!" shouted Seth as Tanner casually glared at him. Richard glared at the former professor. How he wanted to rip the bastards head off but, sadly Richard needed him and so did Kate.

"Well I was just trying to help the girl," Tanner replied. Though he tried to sound innocent, Seth and Richard could hear the lies behind his sickly sweet voice.

"Anyway, I will be going out in the desert tonight. The stars should align making the coming of Santé Sangre evident," said Tanner. He stood up but, Seth would not back down, he stood with his face inches from the professors. When Richie had told him about what happened the night before Seth was furious. His anger made Richard wonder what his brother's feelings were for Kate. Was it just a brotherly affection or something more? Richard made a note to ask Seth when they were alone.

"We will go with you," Richard said. Seth and Tanner both looked at him as if he was insane.

"Now listen here, Gecko, I need complete concentration to do this. It's better if I go alone," replied Tanner.

Richard nodded.

"We will go with you. Kate too. Time we know when this thing is gonna go down," said Richard.

Tanner looked to Seth as if the other Gecko brother would object. He shook his head in frustration.

"Fine. I need star visibility. We leave at sundown. Sooner I tell you when Katie cakes is going to go on her killing spree, the sooner I get out of here," he snapped before walking out of the office in a huff.

Seth sat down in a huff.

"Think it's a good idea to bring Kate with?" asked Seth when the door shut behind Tanner.

"She will want to go anyway," replied Richard. He knew how stubborn the girl could be. He smirked a little as he thought of it.

"What's your problem?" asked Seth. Richard had been acting strange today. Not like he acted when Santanico, or Kisa, as she preferred, had been summoning him but, he seemed relaxed. Like he wasn't as stressed as he had been before.

"Nothing," Richard scoffed. He got up with his back turned to his brother and walked over to the small bar. He poured himself a whiskey and downed it.

"So what's the deal with you and Kate?" he asked turning back to Seth. His brother smiled.

"I could ask you the same," replied Seth. Richard poured another drink.

"I asked you first brother," Richard replied and sat back down at his desk. Seth nodded and thought for a moment. He leaned forward on his elbows and Richard was sure he was going to tell him that he was in love with Kate or that he felt something for her. That was classic Richard, always preparing for the worst. If that was the case, he wasn't sure how'd he feel.

"She kept me alive. You know better than anyone that I am not the easiest person to get along with, the heroin didn't help the situation either. She didn't give up on me, at least not until she felt she needed to and I understood that. I wonder if she would have died that night if it hadn't been for us? Maybe she wouldn't be subject to all this craziness?" said Seth.

Richard was dumbfounded. He could see his brother's genuine guilt and concern for Kate but, it wasn't romantic for him. It was a friend who wanted to protect another friend, a brother wanting to keep a sister safe.

"She never should have been brought into this mess. That's on us," said Seth. Richard nodded. He knew his brother was right but, it was easier not to think of the past, nothing to be done about it now.

"So what's the deal with you and Kate?" returned Seth after a moments pause. Before Richard could respond his office doors opened with a flourish.

"I was just wondering the same boys," came Santanico also known as Kisa now, as she strutted into the office towards the brothers.

"Seth," she nodded towards her least favorite Gecko. Seth rolled his eyes. Kisa or Santanico, he didn't care, they both annoyed him.

"Seth, I would go wake Kate up. Maybe bring her something to eat," said Richard as Kisa stopped in front of him.

"Shouldn't her knight in shining armor bring it?" Kisa said, Richard didn't like the malice in her voice. Was she actually jealous? Seth walked out and headed for Kate's room, he would let those two fight it out while he rustled up sleeping beauty.

"What do you want Kisa?" asked Richard, his voice showed his annoyance.

"I want to come with on your little field trip tonight."

"No."

"Why not?" asked Kisa.

"Because we don't need a three ring circus. This isn't your problem," he said.

"Look Richard whether or not Santé Sangre comes back in a month or a hundred years I want to stay ahead of the game. Plus, you need an ally" she said. Though Richard didn't fully trust her motives he nodded.

"We leave at sundown. Be ready then."


Through Kate's eyes…

Richards's car moved through the desert with surprising smoothness. When Seth showed up at my door around three this afternoon holding a glass of orange juice I was positive that I would regret opening up for him.

"Hey we've got a field trip tonight," he said and explained to me what Tanner had wanted. I listened to his explanation with curiosity and fear.

"Tanner seems to think Santé Sangre won't rise for another hundred years seeing as it was just given its sacrifice but, it would be good to know when," said Seth. I nodded and sipped my juice. It helped my now empty and grumbling stomach.

Two hours later I met Seth and Richard in the restaurant. Richard barely glanced at me.

"I'll go in the rv with Tanner," Seth said. I turned to follow Seth when Richard stopped me.

"You'll come with me Kate," he said. I just nodded trying to read his face and coming up empty.

I climbed into Richards's car and we followed the RV out of the parking lot. At first we drove on well paved roads but then the RV went off road and into the desert night.

"Who is that?" I asked as a sports bike zoomed past us picking up dust.

"Kisa…uh Santanico, but I wouldn't call her that," replied Richard. I stared out the window, unsure of what to say. I wanted to ask him about the night before but, I was a coward. The sun had completely left the sky and now it was the prettiest purple and red. I stared at its rays and tried not to think.

"If Tanner says we are safe for the one hundred years Kisa will most likely high tail it back to California tonight," said Richard. His voice sounded indifferent as if he could care less. I smiled. I was relieved. I knew that it was jealousy that pulled me to dislike Kisa or Santanico, whatever her name was. I glanced over at Richard, his face was impassive.

"You must be sad to see her go," I hedged, cringing at his possible answer, maybe he was upset that she was leaving and hiding it?

He scoffed.

"Not really," he said. I nodded and continued to look out the window.

"You know there is still a chance that this whole sacrifice might not have to happen for another hundred years," said Richard.

"Yeah until the next blood moon," I replied.

"Have you thought about what you would want to do until then? Hundred years is a nice long reprieve," replied Richard.

I shook my head. I honestly hadn't bothered to think past day to day.

Maybe I could travel? I didn't think that Seth and Richard would want to babysit me for one hundred years. I could travel around the world with Scott, finally get in that road trip that my Dad had initially wanted us to take.

Richard's car slowed as the RV began to slow down as well until finally it stopped. We were out in the middle of nowhere, the sky above was cloudless and bright with stars. Richard pulled his car next to the RV with Kisa parking her bike next to us. I opened Richards's car door.

"Kate, no matter what happens, we will figure it out," he said. I glanced down to his hand on mine. I wasn't sure how to respond so I just nodded.

Kisa was pulling her helmet off when I opened the door. She glared at me and I dropped my eyes. I really didn't need her pissing me off tonight.

Tanner and Seth began setting up a telescope. After ten minutes of me trying to calm down I decided to break away from the group. I walked back to Richards's car and leaned on the hood. I took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up. Hate to admit that I was now probably addicted to the nicotine sticks but, considering I was a vessel for an ancient blood god, I don't think cancer was my biggest worry. I stared up at the bright sky, wondering what secrets it held.

"So, big bad Santé Sangre has chosen you?" came the voice of Kisa. She slowly walked over to me, arms crossed over her chest and smirk plastered on her face.

"Don't worry people will still clamber over themselves to worship at your feet," I replied. Kisa chuckled.

"So you think that's what I want?" she asked an angry edge to her voice. "Trust me. That wasn't my idea of a fulfilling life. Then again, I don't envy you either," she replied.

I nodded as I pretended to search the sky for shooting stars all the while remembering the way Kisa seemed to enjoy dancing for all those men. On the end of that thought came the one where I remembered that she had been a slave and I instantly felt guilty.

"So what happens when this is all over?" I asked her still craning my neck.

"Well, if we aren't going to be killing for sacrifices then I go back to California for a hundred years and you stay with the Geckos," she said.

I dropped my eyes from the sky.

"Oh," was all I could think of to say.

"What? You thought I'd stick around for one hundred years?" she asked incredulously. I shrugged and then threw my smoke. I shivered. I hadn't realized how cold it would be out here and wished I had brought a hoodie.

"No. Nothing left for me here," she said. I could hear a sense of sadness in her voice.

"What about Richard?" I asked gesturing to his figure standing near Tanner who was writing something on a star chart. Kisa laughed and it seemed like a genuine laugh.

"Richard has another Hermosa chica to keep him occupied," she said slyly. I could feel my ears burn and my cheeks blush.

I watched her walk back to the three men and I stayed put. I let my hands get warm on the hood of the car. I wanted to know what would happen now but, was terrified of the results.

"There it is! Finally!" came Tanners triumphant voice. I knew that he had the answer. I walked over to the group and tried to breath. I stood next to Richard and stared at the professor as he calculated his findings. Slowly I felt a hand wrap around my own with our fingers entwining. I looked down and then looked up to meet Richards's eyes on mine. He shrugged and gave my hand a gentle squeeze as we waited for my fate to be decided.


Tanner finished whatever he was writing and looked up at his companions.

"Well, kids its seems that the blood god has given you a reprieve," he said laughing jovially. Seth let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Are you sure?" he asked the professor.

"Of course I'm sure! Polux is out of orbit, meaning it will have to come around the earth once more before it aligns with the other stars. That orbit will take at least one hundred years give or take" snapped the professor.

Seth smiled in relief.

Richard turned to Kate, expecting to see relief on her face but was shocked.

She seemed worried.

"Kate?" he said. She turned to him a single tear running down her face. She smiled and wiped it away before giving him a quick hug. Though Richard could feel the warmth in her embrace, he sensed something was wrong.

Seth hugged Kate as well before he and Tanner packed up.

"Well Geckos, I'll see you in a hundred years," said Kisa as she hugged Richard.

"Take care of yourself Katerina" she said to Kate before pulling her helmet on. Kate was too entranced in her own thoughts to hear the kindness in Kisa's voice. In truth, Kisa could see that Richard would be good for Kate. Since she felt no romantic affection for him, Kisa wanted him to find some kind of peace. As she drove off on her bike she heard Richard call.

"Don't be a stranger," he said and she sped away in a cloud of dust.

Richard opened the door to his car and Kate climbed in, she seemed to be in a trance.

"Seth, I'm going to take Kate for a drive before we head back. I'll meet you at the bar in a while", said Richard. Seth waved him off as he and Tanner climbed aboard the RV. Richard needed to know what was wrong with Kate and also if she had any plans from now until the sacrifice. Would she leave him? Would she decided to stay? He needed the truth before he could move forward even though, part of him was scared of the answer.