Chapter Fifteen.
“R amedes… never expected I’d be on the run from a Viscerov,” Ami said as Li’zel gently picked her up.
Perversely, I wasn’t so gentle with Nathan and slung him over my shoulder. Nathan muttered under his breath, and I grinned.
“Should I leave you behind? Taking out twelve has made you a target, too,” I asked my cantankerous friend.
“No, we’ll take Nathan. No doubt he is a target,” Mera replied for Nathan, not understanding my attempt at brevity.
“If it comes to it, we can throw Nathan at the cult and run,” Pal said in dry humour.
Nathan muttered under his breath.
Mera rose, and we started to run. Quietly, we slipped through the night.
“Why not?” Inka questioned, referring to Ami’s statement.
“From what I’ve learnt of Ramedes’ race, they don’t start a war that they can’t finish. The Vam’pirs have respected them and vice versa. Although they number more than us and true Vam’pirs are few, we are matched in many ways.”
“But they’ll hunt us to get Rahmon and Kit,” I argued.
Nathan muttered something again, and I jolted him roughly and he subsided. I didn’t want Pal and Mera to overhear that Nathan thought this was stupid because the children lacked a Vam’pir heritage.
“Yes, Ramedes wouldn’t attack, except they belong to her. They will not want to harm us except to get the children.”
“What is so special about the twins?” Nathan asked loudly.
“They are marked,” Pal answered shortly as Nathan drew a deep breath.
“Then shouldn’t we—” Ami began.
“No! They are mine,” Pal said firmly. “Dawn is close, we must find somewhere to rest.”
We found a cave that would hide us from the sun. We stayed awake talking, except for Ami and Nathan, who slept to heal themselves. Healing was always best done when the body rested, and although we were immortal, it was no different for us. That night, there would be seven fit Vam’pirs to protect the children.
◆◆◆
Not a lot is known about Ramedes. I’ve know more today about the cult, but back then, the cult was shrouded in mystery.
Ramedes was actually an immortal woman. She was from a race as little known as Kaltos and Har’ches. The civilisation was as immortal as we were, and they called themselves the Viscerov. Vam’pirs lacked knowledge of their origins and the true Viscerov population.
Honestly, I didn’t think Viscerovs were prolific, or else more information would exist. Viscerovs were an intensely private people much like us.
They were a tall people, golden-skinned and white-haired. Their eyes were the strangest part and the most compelling; they were yellow, yellow with white irises. I’ve wondered through the centuries whether they can see as well as us and mortals.
Ramedes settled in Egypt sometime in the distant past. Like us, Ramedes fell into the role of a God. I had never met her, nor had any of the others, but we had heard rumours. Inka and I had briefly crossed the cult’s path, but we hadn’t set eyes on Ramedes herself. Ramedes had a cult worship going on. Her strength and cunning were evident, yet her character remained largely unknown.
The fact Ramedes wanted the children frightened me. For immortals usually made it a rule not to fight one another. I was scared by the uncertainty of Ramedes’ possible reaction. But we were not alone now, and the children’s safety would be hard fought for.
I cursed under my breath. Why, damn it, did Pal and Mera have to take marked children into their midst?
Then I looked at Pal and Mera’s faces, and my shoulders straighten in determination. Regardless of markings, Ramedes wouldn’t possess the twins.
I did not fully understand what marked meant. I believed that it was one of two things. The first was that Rahmon and Kit would be sacrificed to Ramedes to keep her favour. The idea of their deaths was unacceptable.
The second idea was that the children would be taken into the cult and taught to obey and worship Ramedes. Along with the possibility that they may still be sacrificed. In truth, we clutched at straws. Nobody understood what Ramedes was or what marked truly meant. To my deepest sorrow, I would find out later, and it is something that I would always regret knowing.
The next night, we resumed our journey. Rome was our destination, for we had never heard of Ramedes leaving Egypt.
The worshipers of Ramedes had powers given to them by her. They moved fast and could travel during the day. Unlike us, though, they needed to rest, whereas we couldn’t face the sun of Egypt. Basically, we were pretty well balanced and hopefully, we’d stay ahead of them.
The cultists were clever, and that was another reason that we feared them slightly. The man that I had fought had the strength of a thousand-year-old vampire. Clearly, we did have good reason to worry, although the fear was fading now that we were seven strong.
Several times, we sensed them not far behind, but we kept ahead.
If we didn’t have the children, we could’ve transported ourselves, but we did not know what running that fast might do to them.
During the night, we had all acquired weapons, and we felt better about ourselves.
Ami and Nathan talked quietly, and they wondered just what the hell they were doing here. Nonetheless, a Vam’pir would always answer a call from help from one of their own kind.
We’d never turn our backs on each other, or so I believed.
I know different now, but at that time, we’d answer no matter what we were doing. We would never quit until we finished what we set out to accomplish. Ami, Li’zel and Nathan would stay. They might moan, but they wouldn’t leave. Once in Rome, we would be safe, and Li’zel, Ami, and Nathan could return to their lives.
Two thousand years ago, it was unheard of for us to desert one another. However, as time goes by, circumstances evolve, and things are no longer as they used to be.
Do I sound bitter? It’s not my intention, but that’s life.
Though, at the time, I mistakenly believed that nothing would ever separate the Vam’pirs. Yet I was erroneous, so very wrong. Nothing comes easy, I’d learnt that the hard way. No matter how long you live, life always manages to surprise you. Even with immortals, it twists and turns in ways unexpected.
◆◆◆
We ran through the next night knowing they were there behind us, seeking and waiting. For all we knew, they might’ve even got ahead of us during the sunny day. Not knowing where they were was frightening, and if they were indeed ahead of us. But finally, we spotted our destination and the docks. We couldn’t have travelled across land, for the cultists surely would’ve caught us. But on water, we had a chance, even if we had to sink their boat.
Nathan put out a hand to stop us running headlong down to the docks. He was searching for something. With a quick thought at me, he moved one way, and I headed in the other direction. Nathan seemed to sense the cultists were waiting. The rest of us huddled behind the crates that were dotted about the dock. If sweating were an option, we would have done it; we were so nervous.
I scouted around, keeping every sense open. All I could pick up from the humans was their thoughts of getting the cargo loaded. There were a few merchants thinking of the profit to be had, but I couldn’t sense Ramedes’s worshippers. I returned to the hiding place and smiled at Kit and Rahmon reassuringly.
Nathan made his way back and grinned. We jumped as someone spoke behind us.
Ricardus found himself flat on his back with Nathan and I at his throat before we realised it was him.
“Bloody hell, have you got a death wish?” I asked, dragging Ricardus to his feet.
Ricardus rubbed his shoulder ruefully and shook his head.
“Ramedes must be mad to take on you lot!” he exclaimed.
Pal and Mera moved toward the children.
“The cultists are here?” Mera questioned sharply.
“Arrived this afternoon. I was notified that they were in town, and I came to investigate their purpose. Couldn’t get too close, but I heard Vam’pirs mentioned, and I thought I would track them. Good thing I did. Otherwise, you would have fallen into their trap.”
“They are at the docks?” I asked, glaring at Nathan; he was meant to have checked them out.
“Yes, disguised as sailors and keeping their minds on the task at hand. That explains your inability to collect them. Some are shielded. Those are the ones that are concerning.”
“Are they aware we’re here?” Pal asked, worried, and I couldn’t blame him.
“We must move you immediately. While en route, you can explain precisely how you got involved with the Viscerov,” Ricardus said.
◆◆◆
Ricardus walked us away from the docks and into the town. I kept jumping at shadows and I wasn’t the only one. Pal and Mera looked completely drained, and Nathan and Ami were also looking tired.
Inka, Li’zel, and I alone remained alert. I was not saying the others weren’t, but they were exhausted.
Ricardus led us to a house in the middle of town and shut the door firmly behind him. It was then he noticed the twins, and his eyebrows rose in surprise.
Ricardus showed Pal where children could find food. Then he patiently waited until they were out of earshot.
“The children are marked! God, are you trying to start a war?” Ricardus exclaimed.
“Pal and Mera adopted them,” Inka said.
“But they’re marked, Ramedes won’t let them go. How stupid can you be?”
“That’s enough!” Li’zel snapped. “Kit and Rahmon are theirs, and we owe it to Pal and Mera to try and save them. How could you judge Pal and Mera? They have done what we all have done throughout the years.”
“Yes, but no one ever took marked children before, Li’zel,” Ricardus challenged. “No wonder there are seven of you present. Li’zel, it’s unusual for so many of us to be together at one time.”
Ricardus rubbed his head and stared. He disapproved; I could feel it, but he wouldn’t fail us.
I hoped.
“In Athens, I have a palace situated in the top of a very high hill. Go there, and Ramedes will not follow. Greece belongs to another Viscerov, and they rarely enter one another’s territory. You won’t reach Rome. That is for sure, and if you all insist on this escapade, flee to Athens.”
“Thank you, Ricardus,” Mera said, taking his hand.
Ricardus stared into her eyes. “Ramedes will follow. Maybe not to Athens, but she’ll try to get them back. I feel it in my bones that Ramedes desperately wants these children of yours. Do not think that you’ll hold on to them easily,” Ricardus warned.
“Come with us. Eight Vam’pirs together would force even Ramedes to think twice,” I suggested impulsively.
“Ah, Jacques. Somehow, it doesn’t surprise me you are in the middle of this. No, I have commitments here, and I am not ready to leave yet. I can give you money and food, but I remain here. Take my home in Athens, my prayers and be lucky,” Ricardus said as Pal led the children into the room.
Pal stared at Ricardus and then nodded. It was obvious Pal had overheard everything. Picking up Kit, Pal turned and left the house, with Mera following. Nathan and I were the last to leave, and Ricardus pulled us back.
“Jacques, you are all in grave danger. This could lead to your deaths. Are you prepared for that?” Ricardus asked.
“Pal and Mera are family, and there is nothing we wouldn’t do for them. Any of us would stand alongside another, Ricardus, is that not true?” I answered.
Ricardus shook his head and turned to Nathan.
“And where one fool goes, the other follows, I suppose?”
Nathan grinned, and that was all Ricardus needed as an answer.
“Wait, I have something that might help,” Ricardus said, leaving.
Inka called to me silently, and I answered her to go ahead and that we would catch up.
Ricardus returned, holding an item in his hands. Looking down at it, he handed it over, and I nearly dropped it.
Even Nathan stared in shock.
“Jacques, you may have this; I no longer require it. That may aid you in your adventures,” Ricardus said before leaving us alone.
Nathan and I stared at each other, and then gingerly, I wrapped my hand around the item. It was a gold amulet and a chain. I hung it around my neck and left with Nathan. Within minutes, we had caught the others up, and we fled again.
◆◆◆
We made Athens without incident, and the children’s eyes widened in surprise.
The country shared similarities with Egypt, yet also had distinct differences. Like Egypt, Greece was educated, growing and rich. Kit and Rahmon took pleasure in everything new that they saw. We found Ricardus’s home and settled down into life.
Nathan left us a few weeks after arriving, and Li’zel was gone the next night. Strangely enough for Ami, she stayed for a year before leaving.
Lord knows why Ami stayed, because all she did was bait me. Then again, knowing Ami, that is why she remained. Ami wasn’t really interested in the children at first, deeming them a nuisance that she had to suffer.
However, Rahmon slowly worked his way into what Ami had left of a heart. Ami became very fond of Rahmon, so much so that Mera warned her about changing him. Ami tried to stare Mera down and then backed down herself. She departed the next night; however, I believe Ami genuinely cared for Rahmon.
Rahmon was heartbroken when Ami departed, and overnight, he changed. One minute, he was a laughing, carefree boy, and the next, he was sullen, rude, and angry.
Pal tried to talk to him but to no avail. Rahmon blamed Mera for making Ami leave. Honestly, it seemed a fleeting infatuation, and we expected him to move on.
Rahmon didn’t; instead, he grew worse. He began to answer Pal back and disappear for long periods, and I worried along with the rest of them.
Three years passed, and the children turned fifteen. They were beautiful creatures. Kit was alluring and most certainly in control of her body. Boys dropped at her feet, and yet Kit always held herself aloft.
Oh, Kit was a vision indeed. Her hair hung past her waist, a waist that my hands could have cupped easily. Kit’s chocolate- coloured eyes spat sparks at offenders, and her mouth would set in a straight line. For a moment, Kit took me back to when Inka was her age, and I sighed.
Kit was off-limits, although many actually tried to court her. I once caught Kit throwing a boy over a shoulder just as I had shown her, and I laughed as he backed away.
The boy Kit threw glanced upward, then ran. Everyone knew that Kit’s family was not to be messed with.
I laughed even harder as Kit faced me and put her hands on her hips.
As I gazed at Kit, I thought I spotted Rahmon for a mere second, and then he was gone as I glanced back at her.
“Something funny, Uncle Jaq?” Kit asked, her voice a husky timbre.
“No, not at all, angel of my heart,” I said, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
“Ah, when will I meet someone that I can love?” Kit drawled softly.
“Kit, you have plenty of time, more than you know what to do with,” I answered as I led her back home.
She paused and peered up at me.
“What if the man I love is already in a relationship? What then, Uncle Jaq? What do I do then?”
“You’ll come to me and your father, and we’ll work things out for you,” I replied, laughing.
I stopped as Kit punched my chest. Surprised, I looked at Kit and realised she wasn’t joking.
“Uncle Jacques, I’m serious. What if he is already married?” Kit narrowed her eyes, and I felt inadequate to answer.
“Angel, I’ve no clue what you’ll do then. We will cross that bridge when and if we arrive at it.”
Kit pushed my arm off her shoulders and stalked off into the night. Then I turned and went after Rahmon. I was sure I’d seen him, and I wanted to see what he was doing. I followed Rahmon’s scent to a temple of Hera and froze at the scene inside.
Ami lay back on a cushion with Rahmon lying next to her. I froze as anger welled up in me.
Rahmon was fifteen!
Fifteen, and too young for Ami!
What could attract Ami to Rahmon, and how long had this been happening?
I wasn’t sure whether to go in after them or get Pal; it was his son, after all. The repercussions made the decision for me. If Pal found out, then the murder would be committed, and it wouldn’t be Rahmon who Pal put six feet under.
I made a noise, and Rahmon sprang to his feet. The boy went white as he noticed me. Swiftly, I searched him for bite marks and found none.
Ami rose languidly to her feet and stared me straight in the eyes. She reached out with her hand and pulled Rahmon behind her. Ami’s gaze narrowed as she looked at me, and I saw anger rise. But Ami wasn’t as angry as I was.
“Rahmon is fifteen!” I shouted.
“So were you when you met Inka!” Ami retorted.
“That was different, as were the times. Pal will go insane when he finds out.”
“Who said Pal has to?” she seethed.
“How long have you hidden this?” I yelled, anger building. “Dear God, Ami, Rahmon is Pal’s son. Pal and Mera will rip you apart with their bare hands, and I’ll not stop them.”
“We have hidden this for three years, Jacques, and neither you nor father can stop me,” Rahmon said, coming out from behind Ami.
“When did I quit becoming Uncle Jaq?” My voice lowered, and Rahmon knew he was in trouble. Still, Rahmon squared his shoulders and stared me in the face.
“About the time you stopped allowing me my freedom to make my own choices and started making them for me,” he answered.
My eyes narrowed as I glared at Ami. “Rahmon better go home,” I stated and raised my voice as he hesitated, “now!”
“No,” Rahmon said, taking Ami’s hand.
“Rahmon knows what we are, Jacques, I have told him everything,” Ami explained, and I froze.
“What?” I whispered.
“Do you think Rahmon is stupid? That he didn’t realise that there was something strange about us? Rahmon asked, and I answered truthfully.”
“Rahmon knows?”
“Yes, every little detail. Rahmon knows names, times, dates, everything, Jacques. I wouldn’t lie to him, unlike some.”
“That was Pal and Mera’s choice to tell Rahmon. How dare you steal that from them? They saved Rahmon’s worthless life, and this is how the bastard pays them back?” I snarled.
Rahmon looked ashamed. But my temper was up, and there was no stopping my mouth.
“Did you know your father murdered your mother? That you lived in a slum until Pal and Mera took you in?” My words hit Rahmon hard, and he reeled back. “Yeah, looks like Ami has told you everything. You and Kit would have died with shit-filled nappies and starving bellies if not for Pal and Mera. Died in the gutter you came from. And this is the respect you show? Sneaking around and lying? Disrespecting them? Ami told you everything?” I demanded in a hiss.
“Jaq, don’t!” Ami warned.
“Oh no. Rahmon’s old enough to lie to his parents and fuck a woman thousands of years older than him. Then Rahmon’s old enough to learn the truth. You are marked… by a cult. We fled Egypt to save you from being sacrificed. Pal and Mera lost their home and everything to protect you. You selfish little prick. They should have left you in the gutter to die,” I spat.
Rahmon faced me and paled.
My words hurt him, and they were meant to. My anger at Rahmon knew no bounds, and suddenly, I realised he was no longer an innocent child. Ami had corrupted that.
So be it. I leapt at Ami and knocked her down. My fist collided with her jaw, and Ami pushed me backwards and came for my throat. I threw her over my head and spun. I was furious, all I wanted to do was smash Ami into the ground.
Rahmon stopped me. He thrust a knife through my ribs with such force that it appeared the other side.
I glanced down, then turned. Rahmon was white and shaking, but he faced me as a man would.
With deliberate slowness, I backhanded him lightly and sent him flying. Rahmon gazed up at me in fear as I drew the blade out of my back and threw it at his feet. Then I opened my tunic so Rahmon could see the injury.
Rahmon’s eyes widened as he watched the wound heal.
Behind me, Ami scrabbled to her feet and ran in front of him, arms wide to protect him. Rahmon peered out from behind her.
I stared at Ami and then Rahmon. My mouth opened, but no words came out. Rahmon scrambled to his feet and moved in front of her. Ami tried to pull him back. Rahmon shrugged her off, and Ami settled for laying her hands on his shoulders. He watched as the skin closed about the wound, and within minutes, there was no sign that I had ever been wounded.
In fear, Rahmon licked his lips but stood firm, and I reluctantly admired him for that.
“Now you know exactly what type of monster I am. Boy, I gave you love and devotion, and you’ve thrown it back in my face. We are no longer family!” I stated.
“No…” Rahmon cried, looking unsure.
“Return home and explain what happened here tonight. If you can wield a knife against a family member, then perhaps it is better that you leave with your slut.” Angrily, I turned on my heel and left.
Rahmon called out my name, but I kept going. I was deeply shocked and upset.
I changed direction and went into the town. There was a tavern there that sold cheap and potent wine. It would take a while to achieve drunkenness, but that was my goal.
I couldn’t believe that Rahmon had attacked me. I never dreamed that Rahmon would have been capable of such actions. Angry, I stumbled into the tavern and sat in a corner. A girl came over, and I told her I wanted the strongest stuff they had in the house. She left quickly and got my drink. Irately, I downed it in a gulp and ordered three more. Her eyes widened, but she obeyed.
A figure slid into a chair opposite, and I looked up and groaned.
Not now, but then, on the other hand, why the hell not? Everything else had gone to shit.
He watched as I drained the drinks, and as I ordered three more, he put his palm on the table.
“I think that you have had enough.”
“Not even started.”
“I know what happened, Jaq. Rahmon is maturing. You have to allow Rahmon to make his own decisions.”
“If Rahmon must fall in love, why not with a human? Why a Vam’pir?” My anger prompted curious stares.
“Pal cannot tie him down. Rahmon deserves manhood.”
“I never said that Rahmon didn’t,” I whispered into my drink.
“Then let Rahmon make his own mistakes.”
“You know something, Tai’moriee? I hate it when you decide to try to make sense out of things for me. Rahmon is my close friend’s child. You know full well Ami will turn him.”
I stared into the bottom of the cup, and I didn’t remember drinking it. I called for a bottle instead.
There, that was better.
“You envy me because I’m usually right, and you know it. I must admit that I have never seen Ami like this before. Ami knows better than to play close to home, and yet she had hidden here for three years. Surely that in itself tells you something?” Tai’moriee asked.
“It tells me Ami is playing games again—and too close to home,” I said morosely.
“And when has Ami played this close to home before Jaq? She hasn’t, never before.”
I looked up as Tai’moriee’s meaning sunk into me.
“You mean Ami is really in love with him? Pal will kill her!”
“Possibly, but I am afraid you have a more pressing problem than that. Ramedes has found you,” he announced, rising from the chair. “And she wants her property.”
I stared after him as he disappeared and then rose myself.
Slamming the tavern door shut behind me, I raced to where the villa was.
A ghastly sight awaited me.
It was ablaze.