The Dark Gifts Birthright

  Athena cocked her head to the side and gave her a curious look. “Hmm,” she murmured.

  “Hmm, what?” Gregorio asked.

  “I can’t read her, can you?”

  He looked at Liz for a moment before breaking into another smile. “Well done child. You are rapidly improving your skills. Some take centuries to learn to close off their minds.”

  Liz moved restlessly wanting to avoid any more questions about her thoughts. “I’m sorry. I truly am. I promise it will never happen again,” she said with a weak smile. Moving slowly, she sat up in the bed and inched her feet towards the floor.

  “Oh no you don’t!” Athena ordered. “You will stay in this bed until Michael returns, unless you’d rather have a hot bath? You’re a mess again. That’s twice in one day.”

  “I think I would love a hot bath, but first tell me…what was that thing?”

  Athena looked askance at Gregorio. The subject was taboo, even among the elders. He nodded and she began to explain. “We do not usually speak of them. They are Methuselah’s Children, but generally, they are called the unnamed. It is exceedingly heartbreaking. Not every human turned manifests the change properly. Sometimes the human becomes fully vampire with human emotionality. They all have vampire strengths and characteristics, but do not have the power to control the baser emotions of fear and rage. Without that ability, they lose their minds and become monstrous.”

  A spasm of pain rushed through Liz's body causing her to shake. Gregorio moved to her side with a goblet of warm blood. “Drink this. It will help you to heal.”

  “I'm okay.”

  “No you are not, as you say, okay. You are injured. Only blood and rest will heal you now,” he said and placed the glass firmly in her hand. Turning to Athena, he said, “Maybe that's enough for now. The child's been through more than enough for one day.”

  “Of course, she--”

  “No. Please tell me the rest. I want to know.” Eyes pleading, Liz took a sip of the healing elixir. Immediately, warmth rushed through her. In awe, she watched as the cuts on her arms began to close and scar. With each sip, injuries faded until they were no more. Draining it, she handed the goblet to Athena. “I'm being a good girl. Please tell me the rest.”

  Athena sighed and continued, “The thirst overwhelms them. It is a hideous thing to have a connection with one such as those. The maker is allowed to choose either death for his companion, or they can be imprisoned here. A connection with the turned is not reciprocated. It is agonizing for the maker to keep the turned alive because he is connected to nothing but rage, hate, and thirst. In spite of this, for some, the pain of their death and the loss of connection is equally torturous. So they stay here in the dungeon. Locked away to prevent them from doing any harm. Many cannot stand to be separated from their turned, so they visit them frequently. Others never come at all and leave them to rot in their cells.”

  “Wouldn’t it be easier and safer for them all to die?” Liz asked.

  Athena sadly replied, “Safer is not always easier. You feel it, could you sentence Michael to death?”

  Just the thought produced a swelling sadness in Liz’s chest. She shook her head.

  Athena smiled, knowing Liz understood the predicament. “No more talk now. You sleep, it will help you heal.”

  Liz closed her eyes thinking she'd never be able to fall asleep, but within seconds her mind began to drift into darkness. Her last memory was of Athena caressing her cheek while mumbling something she couldn't quite understand.

  Chapter Five

  Surviving the Cause

  Liz woke to an empty room. Sometime during her sleep, someone had bathed and dressed her in a clean nightgown. She stretched slowly to see if the pain that had bombarded her the last time she awoke, was still dormant in her body. She felt wonderful, totally regenerated. The thirst was building, but she was controlling it. It was not the same over powering lust for blood she’d felt in the beginning. She heard a mental giggle right before Angie appeared at the door.

  Standing in the doorway, smiling shyly, Angie looked expectantly at Liz. “Do you want to be alone?”

  “The last thing I need is solitude. Come on in.” Liz smiled. “How long have I been out?”

  “Two whole days! I thought you were never going to wake up. Are you okay? It’s all my fault, it really is. I should have never left you here alone. If mother hadn’t called me, I would have stayed. I love talking to you. Are you mad at me?” The words tumbled out of her mouth.

  Liz laughed as she reached out and pulled Angie on the bed to hug her.

  “It’s not your fault, silly. I’m too nosy for my own good.”

  Angie smiled her big cruise ship director’s smile and threw her arms around Liz. Then the chattering began. She told Liz that Michael had been gone the entire time she’d slept, but had been checking on her often. She filled her in on everything she missed during those two days as well. Who was fighting with whom about the whole disaster, and what was being said amongst the council members. She rattled off so many names that Liz started wondering just how many lived in the fortress. The Council was divided on what should be done about Liz’s transgression. Some argued that she should be punished and Michael as well, while others blamed it on Liz not being thoroughly informed in the first place.

  Gregorio was the leader of the faction that wanted it dropped and left alone. Monroe led the witch-hunt against them.

  “They are all taking sides now.” Angie said softly as she looked around the room. She leaned in closer and whispered, “You don’t have to worry though. The Eldest is on our side. He won’t let anything happen to you or Michael. They need you both, you know.”

  Angie leaned back as Liz sat up, reached out to fluff the pillows behind her, and pushed her back against them.

  “I'm not worried about that. Where is he? How long will he be gone? I want to know when I can see him again.” She still needed to tell him about the conversation she’d overheard in the tunnel.

  “I don’t know. I know he’ll come back as soon as he can. He checks on you all the time. Almost hourly.” she giggled.

  “Checks with who?”

  “Well me of course! Who did you think?” Angie’s eyes sparkled as her smile widened.

  “Why doesn’t he just check with me?”

  “He doesn’t want to wake you up silly. You are supposed to be resting. Remember? Anyway, let me tell you a story about Michael. This one time about--oh I don’t know for sure--maybe twenty-five years ago, we were out on this…” It went on like that for hours.

  Michael was a topic that Angie loved to talk about. She gushed with stories about things he had said and done. Every few years, Athena would allow Angie to live among humans. The old gloomy fortress could become depressing for a young girl, even if she was a vampire. When the time came for her to go out into the world again, Michael was her designated protector. Angie told Liz all about Michael’s sense of humor, his likes and dislikes; she even knew his favorite hunting grounds and what type of human he preferred.

  Although she had plenty of stories from the past to tell her, try as she might, Liz couldn’t pry any information about where he was right now or what he was doing out of her. Angie would not be budged. Someone, probably her mother, had given her a direct order to keep his whereabouts and activities completely concealed. If Liz attempted to bring up the topic, Angie would sweetly answer, “Just a few more days, and he’ll be home. I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it then.”

  Liz spent those days with Angie. Whatever her responsibilities had been before, she had been relieved of them by those higher up, and set with the task of babysitting Liz. Except for missing Michael and worrying about him, Liz enjoyed her time with the girl. Angie was so full of life and spontaneity that she kept Liz’s mind occupied most of the time. She told her the entire goings on of vampires in and outside of the complex. She even told her ghost stories.

  Apparently, several ghosts resid
ed among the vampires. Angie didn’t know where some of them had come from or how they happened to settle there, but she could see all of them.

  A vampire telling ghost stories can be chilling to say the least, and Angie was full of them. According to her, spirits roamed the old tunnels constantly. Some were just mischievous, but others bore malicious intent. Malevolent or not, they were of no harm or consequence to the vampires of course, but to humans, they would have been deadly. Angie’s favorite ghost story involved a young deceased soldier named William. He died on the land above the fortress during the civil war. He had stumbled onto the property seriously injured and died on the ground above. After his death, he had somehow ended up in the tunnels below and had latched on to Angie. She talked to him every day. Even though her mother frowned on her fraternizing with ghosts, Angie and William had become good friends. “Now not all vampires can see ghosts, but I am special,” Angie proudly told Liz.

  “That is remarkable.”

  “Even when they don’t want me to see them, I can.”

  “Really? What do you mean by they don’t want to be seen?” Liz asked.

  “Well, ghosts are mostly tricksters. Most don’t like for people, even our kind of people, to know they are around. They can show themselves to anyone…if they want too. It takes a lot out of them though to materialize like that. William is quite good at it. They don’t have to materialize for me. I can see them whether they are doing it or not.”

  “Wow. I bet your mother utilizes your skills frequently.” Liz smiled.

  “You’d think that wouldn’t you? Do you know she doesn’t even believe in ghosts?” Angie shrugged her shoulders and moved closer to the fire.

  “How is that even possible?” Liz laughed.

  “She thinks I made them up. And William is no help at all. He refuses to materialize in front of her.” Angie grabbed the fireplace poker and hacked at the burning wood. Sparks hissed, buzzing back and forth before floating up the chimney.

  Liz continued to chuckle. The thought of a vampire who didn’t believe in ghosts was hysterical.

  Angie filled many hours of the day and night with humorous accounts of William and his escapades in the fortress. Until Liz’s arrival, William had been her closest and dearest friend. She trusted him completely, even though he was all the way dead.

  Liz told Angie all about her family and home. They talked about her job, friends, and all the things that Liz had done in her human life. She was enthralled with Liz’s stories about her life. Being taken at seventeen, three hundred years ago, Angie did not have the life experiences that Liz had, and was very impressed by them. Technology also intrigued Angie. After hearing about MP3’s and music videos, she was ready to hit the outside world again and go on a shopping spree.

  Days passed slowly. Having Angie to spend them with was, at least, some small help. After two weeks of monotony, Liz finally felt a mental nudge from Michael.

  “I’m almost home. Did you miss me?”

  She heard the smile in his voice, but also something more. Something was not quite right. “Of course I missed you! What’s wrong?”

  “In time. I am coming.”

  Relief filled her. Just knowing he would be with her soon sent shivers of anticipation through her body.

  Five agonizing hours later, Michael walked through their door. He looked a fright when he entered. His bloodstained shirt hung from his broad frame in shreds. She threw herself in his arms and held him close. “Are you okay? All the blood...where have you been?”

  “Shhh,” he replied. “It’s not mine. Just let me hold you for a minute, and I’ll explain.”

  They embraced each other for several minutes before Michael finally sighed and disentangled himself from Liz.

  “You could really use a bath,” she giggled.

  He smiled down at her and said, “Want to wash my back?”

  Liz could see in his eyes that something bothered him, but he didn’t seem to want to talk about it, so she went with his playful mood and started teasing him. “I think you need more than your back washed! And what is that smell?” she said as she pinched her nose and grimaced.

  Michael lunged to grab her, but she ran away laughing. They chased each other around the room twice before ending up in each other’s arms.

  “I really do need a shower. I’ll go get cleaned up and be right back.”

  Michael didn’t waste any time lounging around in the bath, he was in and out. Liz warmed some blood over the fire and had it ready when he returned. She was the perfect little wife, “Except for the blood thing and the marriage thing.” She thought.

  She glanced up and saw him leaned against the doorway. Droplets of water glistened across his bare chest. Thick muscles bulged and flexed as he repositioned his weight. Her tongue darted over her lips. Michael’s eyes twinkled with amusement, but the tone of his voice was serious as he said, “The blood thing can’t be helped, but we could remedy the marriage thing if you like?”

  Liz smiled shyly and looked away. She didn’t think she’d ever adjust to this mind reading thing. Cat like, Michael bounded over the back of the couch, landing in a seated position. He patted the empty space next to him. “Come sit with me. I have a lot to tell you.”

  In the first few days after Liz’s attack, he’d recaptured and imprisoned twenty of the thirty-five unnamed. The other fifteen somehow found their way out of the complex. Many believed that they were released on purpose. As quickly as he could, he skimmed over the details of his mission. The fact remained that both of them were still in danger. Should the Council decide against them, their fate would be sealed.

  Sitting in silence now, Michael contemplated various solutions for their predicament. He knew someone had to be hiding the eight missing unnamed. Hesitant, Liz began to tell him her own tale.

  She told him how she had wandered around looking at all the artifacts trying to get acquainted with her new surroundings, and ended up in the tunnel below. He remained motionless as she spoke. When she repeated the overheard conversation between Demitre and Monroe, the muscle across his jaw pulled tight in anger. Knowing why she had run and how she ended up in the dungeon, enraged him even more.

  Standing, fists clenched, and face pulled taut, he was a terror to behold. For the first time since Michael turned her, Liz was afraid of him.

  “Stay in this room. Lock the door. Allow no one entry. I must relay this to my father. I will return as soon as possible.”

  Michael walked to the door and looked back one last time saying, “Obey me in this, let no one in.”

  Then he was gone. Even knowing that Michael’s rage was not intended for her, Liz could not help fearing the fuming vampire as he left the room. He would never hurt her; she knew that, but she pitied anyone who encountered him in this state.

  ***

  After a brief knock, Michael entered Gregorio’s room. Thankfully, he was alone. “Father, we are all in danger. I will explain, but you need to prepare to leave.”

  Gregorio’s face turned ashen as Michael explained the situation. He sat as if the weight of the world had pushed him into the ornate chair. His gaze drifted to an old canvas oil painting of a sunny meadow bursting with flowers. When Michael finished, Gregorio remained in his silent daze. After a moment, his eyes full of remorse, focused on his beloved son.

  “It is upon us then. We have feared this coming for many years now. Even if the girl hadn’t set the unnamed free, this was to be. There will be war now.”

  “I know, Father. I am sorry.” Michael walked to the fireplace and watched the flames devour the logs. His thoughts raced as he tried to prepare an argument against the order he knew his father was about to give.

  “Nonsense. You need not apologize for those who have always stood against us. You must take her and leave. Many of us will die before this is over, and you will be primary on the list. I will inform the Eldest as soon as you have left the fortress.”

  Jolted by t
he strained tone in his father’s voice Michael pleaded, “You must come with me. You are primary in the Eldest’s ear, should you stay they will come after you as well.”

  Michael’s thoughts were chaotic. He moved to the corner of the room and ran his hand over the giant mace held by the suit of armor. He knew if he left Gregorio here without his own expertise, he would be in jeopardy. Gregorio was a skilled fighter in his own right, but one against many…that was a death sentence. He also knew that unlike the hulking vampire, Liz had no ability to protect herself at this time. She was too young and too new.

  Walking over to where Michael stood, Gregorio grasped his shoulders and looked into his eyes. The look on his face was that of final farewell. “You must go now and swiftly. They are watching the girl carefully in hopes she will make yet another mistake. Get her out of here and keep yourself alive. I will try to keep you informed on the Council’s decisions and what is happening. Do not tarry, and do not trust anyone. Let no one know where you are going or where you are when you get there.” Then pulling him closer he whispered angrily, “If this does not go well, avenge me. Now go!”

  There was no point in arguing. His decision would not waver.

  Michael ran all the way to his apartment. He bolted into the room, startling Liz. She flipped around bringing a hand to her throat. The grave look on his face halted her relieved laughter in her throat. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  Fear replaced rage as he moved to grasp her hand. “Don’t ask any questions. I can’t give you any answers right now. Walk with me and stay calm, smile and play along. Whatever you do, do not act like anything out of the ordinary is happening.”

  Liz’s face fell as she glanced at the door. “What is…?”

  “Shhh. Just come with me.”

  They had just started out the door when Angie appeared nearly hysterical right on their heels. “Mother says run! Right now. We have to leave, and I am to go with you!”

  Michael grabbed her face. “Calm down.” He looked into her eyes, leaned down, and whispered in her ear.

  Straightening, he furtively glanced over Angie’s shoulder, grabbed Liz’s hand, and continued down the corridor.