The Dark Gifts Birthright

  “We are running short on blood. The others need it if they are going to heal.”

  “Send the healthy to hunt.”

  “We did, but there is still not enough. I was thinking we could open a portal to a blood bank and take what is needed.”

  “Too risky. We can’t afford to draw attention to ourselves.”

  Minerva sighed and brought her hand up to her mouth, tapping her lips as she thought. “What about cattle? We could bring back live animals. You can’t get much fresher than that.”

  “Agreed. Don’t take more than a few from each farm.” Michael laughed as he thought over what he said.

  Minerva’s eyebrows went up as she asked, “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing really. I was thinking that an alien invasion would probably be a good idea right now.” He smirked.

  Even with the dire circumstances, that thought made her chuckle as well. She walked away shaking her head and laughing.

  Michael turned back to Liz. Her eyes were open again and she was trying to stand up. Her knees buckled, and he caught her. “I thought I told you doctor’s orders.” He sat down, and pulled her on his lap.

  She giggled. “I thought I felt better until I stood up.”

  He folded his arms around her. “You put me through quite a scare. You’re lucky Athena and Gregorio found you.”

  “How did they find me? The last thing I remember was trying to save Angie.”

  “They were there the entire time. They had been hiding, trying to find a way out of the fortress and doing their own spying. When they heard the plan to collapse the fortress with us inside, they tried to get one of the fortress ghosts to contact William and let us know what was going on. He refused. When the explosives began detonating they came looking for us and found you girls with your mother and sister in the tunnel.”

  “Wow. I remember thinking I was going to die. I’d resigned myself to death.”

  Michael smiled down at her. His hand brushed the hair back from her forehead. “Never my love. You are stuck with me for eternity. I’ll see to that if it’s the last thing I do.”

  ***

  Cass looked up, frustrated with another intrusion. “We are busy. What do you want?”

  “Sorry to bother. We’ve set up a fence for the cattle. The barn is full of injured and there are still others arriving. We are nearly out of room.” Big Jon answered.

  Cass turned her gaze back to Gregorio and sighed. “And in this the problem lies.”

  Gregorio cleared his throat. “We have to find a larger dwelling. Some place defendable. We can’t begin to defend ourselves here. With the woods surrounding us, we can’t even see them coming.”

  “We can still sense them,” she answered.

  Gregorio shook his head and with a nod, dismissed Big Jon. “Can we? It isn’t prudent for the other side to know just who survived and how many. Especially the three of us.”

  “We have to call in all who are with us.”

  Gregorio met her eyes then walked to the window to survey those working outside. He watched witches and vampires scurry about, running errands and tending to the new arrivals. “Is it agreed then? The Council will be reformed with those we have decided on?”

  “Of course. If they will serve.” Cass joined him at the window and placed her hand on his massive shoulder. “I know there may be some opposition, but it is the only way. We need those witches. They are our strongest allies. They have proven trustworthy and more than helpful, my son. To leave them out of this would be tantamount to destruction. It is the only way.”

  “And housing?” He asked.

  “Call to them. Many minds will be more efficient than two. It is time for the first meeting of the new Council.”

  Gregorio turned and walked across the room toward the door. Half way there, he turned back and asked, “You are certain?”

  Cass pulled her shoulders back, bringing herself to her full height as she stared at him. Smiling, she bent her head in dismissal.

  Gregorio gave a curt nod saying, “As you wish, Mother,” before exiting the room.

  Cass and Gregorio had decided to form a new Council of a hierarchy whose members were loyal to the cause. A Council that would include the white witches. Cass would be leader followed by Gregorio and Athena. Michael and Big Jon would follow them. Representatives of the higher seats would include Liz, and the three powerful witch Sisters: Minerva, Callista, and Genevieve. The lower seats would include two capable vampire coven leaders: Tiberius, and Rene. The Council convened at dawn after the others went to sleep.

  Cass stood before the newly-formed Council and slammed her fist on the table. Wooden splinters showered the group. “There has to be a spy amongst us. How else could the other faction have known, with such detail, of our planned attack?”

  “But who?” asked Michael. “Who could have fooled us all and slipped by William?”

  Minerva rose to her feet and paced the floor. She stopped and turned to the vampires. “The only thing I am certain is that it is not a witch. If one of us betrayed, the dark magic that turned her would have seeped into any spells. We would have detected if dark magic was used.”

  “Let me think on it,” said Gregorio. “I will find the spy.”

  Cass nodded her approval. “I know you will.” Her gaze passed across Minerva and the others. “Until then, everything spoken here tonight must remain between the present council members. Nothing is to be told to anyone outside of this room. Do you all understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. We will make sure the traitor pays for what he has done.” Her voice was harsh and the wicked grin on her face would have frightened even those with stoutest of hearts.

  Gregorio pulled out his chair and sat down. “Now to other business. I believe that you all have noticed the need for new lodgings. Any ideas about how to accomplish this?”

  They discussed many different places for their new compound. It had to be mostly underground. Until everyone had grown immune to the sun, it had to be shielded from daylight. They discussed magically reinforcing the fortress and trying to preserve what they could, but that would probably take years.

  “I don’t see how these issues can be addressed at the present time.” Michael sighed.

  “It has to be taken care of, Michael.” Gregorio responded.

  “I know that Father, but all of us are running out of steam. We need to rest and address the issue with clear heads.”

  Cass looked around the room at her weary family. Each face was riddled with exhaustion and uncertainty. The only thing left to discuss was the unusual circumstances of Athena, Gregorio, and their relationship with Cass. Her eyes lingered lovingly on Jenna before moving to Athena and Gregorio. Taking several moments to consider what she was going to say, she finally began.

  “I know that all of you must be very curious about my relationship with Athena and Gregorio. Although I have spent several thousand years keeping that a secret, I will tell you now. This is the story of a mother who lost everything that meant anything, and gained immortality. It’s a sad story really. When one is so very young, and believes that life has no further purpose, it is easy to make mistakes. I was like that in the beginning.

  “In those days all vampires lived in the sun, and all ruled with an iron fist. You already know it is an immunity. They were no different than the rest of us. After years of becoming accustomed to daylight, they began to take over. My story began in ancient Egypt. My maker was called Sekhmet. She was a lovely woman with a very mean spirit. I was just a serving girl, insignificant, but beautiful. She had a terribly jealous nature, and became obsessed with fantasies that I would catch her husband’s eye. Sekhmet was certain that her husband, Osiris, would turn me and make me a goddess as well.

  “In ancient times we knew nothing of vampires only that these beings were vastly different than ourselves and that nothing could stop them. Being a servant girl, I was at the beck and call of men in positions of autho
rity.

  “I became pregnant at fifteen. My son came just before my sixteenth birthday. Knowing that Sekhmet already had it in for me, I sent my child to be raised by a family of scholars. He was adopted by them and became one of their own.

  “Eventually Sekhmet’s delusions became reality, and Osiris did notice me. To keep me from taking her place in his heart, she turned me herself, therefore making me her daughter and untouchable by him. Back then, my name was Hathor. Sekhmet’s scheme was no help to her. Osiris broke the law and took me as his lover, disregarding the consequences. Sekhmet was offered death or banishment for her interference with his plan. She chose to leave. I have not heard from her since the day she left.

  “I kept tabs on my son all throughout his life. He married, had children, their children had children and so on. Then my precious Athena was born. She was the last in my line. Her entire family had died in one of the great earthquakes that rocked the city of Rome. By then I was already in hiding but still closely watched my family. I was Cassiopeia then. When it became apparent to me that Athena would never have children, I could not stand the idea of my family line ending. It was the one thing that helped me hold on to my humanity. I had already decided to turn her myself, so as to keep her with me always, when she met her maker.

  “Zeus is what they called him back then. You all know him as the Eldest. When Zeus turned Athena, I went to her and told her all of her family history, but we agreed that she would not tell anyone from whom her line stemmed. I was in hiding already and trying to live as a human. I had already learned to shield my mind and walk in the sun. By then, most of my kind had taken to the darkness, so it was easy for me to pass myself as human.

  “We spent every moment we could together. She is now and will always be the daughter of my heart.” With that she stopped. Looking down in shame, she paused. Then glancing at Gregorio, a look of utter anguish came over her as she continued. “Gregorio is a different matter altogether. My second great mistake. Previously I told you that I have never chosen to turn another. That was true. However, I did turn one. Just one, and only by accident. Gregorio was a general in the Roman Army; he was a greatly important man.

  “Most of you don’t know, but to humans our blood is a magical elixir. If they have not been bitten, it will heal any injury or ill, short of death. I was working with the injured of a great battle between the Romans and the Greeks, when I found Gregorio. He was nearly dead, and I knew that he would be gone if I didn’t act quickly. Therefore, I gave him my blood. I had no idea that he had already been selected for turning by another. I had stayed away from the vampire nation, and there was so much blood from the other injured, that I did not detect the scent of the bitten. He turned immediately then, making him the one thing that I had always lacked… my son.

  “I was so angry that he had turned. I had been determined that I would never take a human life, like mine was taken from me. I was given no choice or option. But it had happened all the same and I was obligated to train him and teach him.” Her features softened as she gazed at Gregorio and said, “It is something for which I have never forgiven myself for.”

  Gregorio smiled in earnest and told her that he had forgiven her several thousand years ago.

  The room remained quiet as everyone pondered the surprising revelations.

  “I have spent countless centuries alone, trying to protect these two from association with me. Every time an old one gained power, they would do so by killing off any that could supersede them in power or ability. If they could not reach that one, then they would cut them where it would hurt the most, by taking out those that they loved. That is why Osiris sent me away. Shortly after I escaped, he was defeated in battle. No one could know of my relationship with these two. Should it be discovered their lives would be forfeited.” Cass smiled sadly, as Athena reached over and squeezed her hand. Cass pulled Athena in her arms and embraced her as she finished, “I could not help but love my newly-made son, nor could I stop loving my last living descendant. So in a way you are all my family now.”

  Angie laughed breaking the silence in the room. “So you are my grandmother?”

  “In a way, I guess I am.” Cass replied.

  “And that would make you my grandmother as well?” Michael questioned in awe.

  “Yes, Michael. That also would make Liz my grand-daughter-in-law, so to speak.” Cass snickered.

  Standing and stretching, Gregorio looked around the room and said, “I believe that is more than enough information for now. Get some rest if you are able, we have much work to do when the sun sets.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Dream Child

  The encampment was subdued for the next few days. The loss at the fortress had not only injured their bodies, but their spirits as well. Many had lost those connected to them, and grief had driven some to a nearly catatonic state. Those still functioning were working. Stores had to be gathered, blankets, pillows, and things that were required to make the arriving clans comfortable. The old barn behind the house was turned into a dormitory of sorts to house those arriving. Infected with fear, the survivors of the fortress massacre did not want to be left on their own.

  The room grew quiet as the waning sun settled in the horizon. Long shadows cast from candlelight flickered and danced along the walls. The council members sat at the rectangular table with Cass at the head. Minerva sat to her right, with Michael and Liz to her left. Soft voices filled the air.

  “We’ve been going over this for days and we’re no closer to a solution than we were the first time.” Michael said as his fist slammed against the kitchen table. “While we sit here talking, Monroe is building an even larger army. We are wasting time.”

  Gregorio, arms folded across his chest, nodded in agreement, directed his gaze to Cass, and waited for her to speak.

  “We are helpless without money.” Cass stood and began pacing the length of the kitchen.

  “I don’t understand why it is so important that we find a place to house all of us. Each nest should find their own dwellings. We have an army to reinforce. Not all of those here are capable fighters. I don’t want to get caught with my pants down again.” Tiberius said.

  Cass stopped behind Tiberius’ chair, reached out, and ran her index finger down the side of his face. “Don’t you see? This is our army. We can no sooner move ahead without them, than we can crawl under rocks and hide.” Whipping around, her ebony hair flew wildly about before settling neatly against her back as she retraced her steps across the kitchen floor.

  Red faced, Tiberius stiffened in his chair.

  As they discussed their options, little Jenna worked carefully on a picture she was coloring. She sat on the floor with her knees tucked under her, working away at her drawing, seemingly unaware of the conversation in the room. When the grownups in the room finally quieted, she jumped up and pulled at Cass’ sleeve.

  “Mommy, I need scissors.”

  “Why?”

  “To fix my picture.”

  “What are you making love?”

  “A present.” Jenna’s face lit up with a smile. She folded her hands behind her back and swiveled back and forth.

  “Well show me then.”

  “But it won’t look right if I don’t cut them.” The child protested her bottom lip protruding.

  Cass sighed, picked her up and placed Jenna on her hip. “Darling, I will help you cut the picture down, if you just show me first.”

  Jenna smiled, her eyes wide. “Okay, but close your eyes first ‘cause it’s a surprise.”

  Cass closed her eyes tight.

  Jenna giggled. “Okay, you can look now. This is what you needed, right?”

  Cass laughed, hugged the girl, and put her down. “My child is a genius. We will make money. Well not really make money, but we can make gold and that is better than cash any day!”

  “What in the world are you talking about?” Minerva said.

  “Alchemy, Miner
va! Alchemy, transfiguration, all of it. We will turn things to gold and sell them. Large enough items will bring a fortune!”

  “Bah. Alchemy is a myth. No one has ever succeeded in creating gold. Even metallurgists have had no luck with that. It simply can’t be done.” Minerva answered.

  “It can be done. I’ve seen it. Now I’m going to need some things. It might take a while to find…” Her finger’s combed though her hair for a moment before settling on a loose strand. Deep in thought, she began twisting the lock around her forefinger.

  “Are we talking about King Arthur, Merlin stuff?” asked Liz.

  “I’m rather curious myself.” Big Jon leaned forward in his seat tapping his fingers on the table.

  “Mother, are you sure about this?” Gregorio chimed in.

  Cass looked at them. Pulled out of her thoughts, her facial expression changed from pensive to thrilled. “Don’t you get it? If the items we transfigure sell fast, we will be financially set for many years to come. This can be done. I swear it. I just have to remember. It’s been several thousand years since I saw that spell in action.”

  “Well if you honestly think you can pull it off, I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Minerva said.

  “Thank you, Minerva. I think I remember most of it now. Let’s get busy. What types of potion ingredients did you bring with you?”

  “You name it, we have it.”

  “Show me.”

  The women headed outside to consult with the other witches while the rest watched in confusion. Jenna sat back down looking very pleased with herself, and began to color another picture.

  “It would have been nice if we had this information a few days ago.” Michael walked to the fridge and pulled out a large carafe of blood.

  Liz and Angie rose and began bringing goblets to the table.

  Gregorio placed his hand over the top of the goblet set before him, shaking his head. “Better late than never. There is still the matter of which land to purchase. For myself--”

  “Excuse me.” Liz said, placing her hand lightly on Gregorio’s shoulder. “I might be able to help with that. If I could get to a computer, an internet search would show numerous properties that might interest us.”