Dark Heirloom (An Ema Marx Novel Book 1) (13 page)

“They told me they loved me very much, but I could not stay with them as a human. It was too dangerous for me. My choices were to run away and live as a human, or be turned and live with my family as one of them.” He looked at his blue hands. “Guess which one I chose.”

“Oh, Jesu, I’m so sorry.” I placed my hand over his, wanting to comfort him. I hadn’t meant to stir up such horrible memories.

He smiled. “Don’t be. I was overjoyed to finally have a family. I thought I was an orphan. My mother was always so kind to me, I had grown to love her long before I found out we were related. I asked her to do the honor of transforming me. It tied us together, you know. A vampire is always bound to his sire.”

I inched closer to him. “Did your father ever come to accept you?”

Jesu shook his head. “He was very angry with my mother when she told him, but it does not matter anymore. He passed away long ago.”

“What about Jalmari, did you two get along?”

Jesu chuckled until his left cheek dimpled. “We had good times and bad. When I was human, Jalmari and I were best friends, so long as our father wasn’t around. When he was, Jalmari treated me like scum, but only because our father would beat him if he was ever caught being nice to a human. As soon as our father left again, Mom would punish him for being mean to me.” Jesu laughed at some far away memory. “Poor kid was so confused. Of course, when we found out we were brothers, Jalmari apologized profusely. He and I were quite the inseparable pair throughout our teenage years.”

Jesu’s emerald eyes sparkled into space. I was shocked to hear anyone speak about Jalmari as if he were capable of human emotion. He was still a monster to me. Jalmari was born a vampyre. He never knew what it was like to be human, to be vulnerable to something as trivial as falling down, and that made him cold.

Jesu was real. He was human once, even if it was very long ago. It wasn’t his fault he was born in a vampyre family. It wasn’t his fault his human heart fell in love with them and wanted to belong. Those were human emotions.

“Thank you for telling me, Jesu. I normally don’t converse much with people.”

Jesu cocked an eyebrow. “Really? You are always so full of questions. I would have thought you had a lot of friends back home.”

I laughed. “God, no. I’ve been a loner all my life.”

Jesu scooted closer and curled his fingers around my hand. “How come?”

I bit my lip, but didn’t move my hand away. “I don’t really know, but I guess it’s in part because of my parents. No dad, and a bipolar, manic-depressed mother. I guess I just got used to fending for myself.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“Nope. I’m an only child.”

We spent the rest of the daylight hours talking the time away. I told him about my childhood, and life in Chicago, making sure to leave out any details about Anthony. Doing so made me realize how little else I had to talk about for those four years that we were together, but I wasn’t ready to share that last part of my life.

“I am sorry about your mother,” Jesu said after I finished my story.

“I’d just like to see her again, you know? I feel more like a ghost than a vampyre, like I’m floating around in limbo. I wish I could tell her I’m not dead and not to worry. She may be dysfunctional, but she’s still my mom.”

Jesu gently squeezed my hand. “Ema, do you feel homesick here?”

I nodded. “It’s hard not to. Northern Finland is a dramatic change from the city, and so is being a vampyre.”

He bit his lip. “You know you cannot go back to Chicago for several decades, right? It is too obvious that you are not one of them anymore.”

I pulled my hand away. “What do you mean?”

“Ema, they will take one look at you and know you are not human. We cannot risk—”

“Bullshit. No one thinks vampires are real. Sure, they’ll see that I’m a little different, but they’d never guess I’m not human. I’m still me.”

“How would you explain your new diet to them? How would you go back to work, practically blind in the day? How could you guarantee that you would not hurt anyone you love when they all smell like food to you?”

I slapped him. He stood, and then glared at me. I scrambled to my feet.

“Oh God, Jesu, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” Knowing the strength I had now, I could have broken his jaw. I hoped not. I really didn’t mean to hurt him.

Jesu turned his back to me and rubbed his chin. I walked around to face him. “I’m really, very sorry. Is it broken?”

He opened and closed his mouth a few times. “No.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I’m sorry, but you can’t say things like that to me. Besides, you promised you would help me get out of here.”

“Ema, you must have realized… didn’t you?”

“No, you promised you’d help me get home, you promised!” I shook my head, but I knew he was right. I had no control over the animal inside me. Last night I had gone after a reindeer, but what would have happened if I had found a person first? What would have happened if that man hadn’t had a gun, and Jesu hadn’t been there to stop me?

“Maybe not now…” my voice quivered. “But, I can learn. You said I could. I just need practice, right?”

Jesu shook his head. “Ema, I do not know how long—”

“Shut up. You promised you would help me. You have to. I didn’t ask for this like you did.” I faced the entrance of the cave. I wanted to run. If not for the threatening sunlight, I would be halfway across the island.
Who cares if I go blind?
I stepped in the direction of the forest.

Jesu grabbed my shoulder and forced me to face him. His thick arms wrapped tight around my back as he firmly pressed me against his chest. His embrace startled me. I stood speechless in his arms. He hugged me so tight, I thought I could feel his heart beating. It was all in my head, of course. I could only hear it.

I wanted to yell. I wanted to punch him. I grabbed a hold of his shirt and balled the fabric in my fists, thinking I might go ahead and really hurt him. But this wasn’t his fault. Jesu was not the one I was mad at. Giving up, I pressed my face against his chest and cried, tearlessly, while he held me.

Chapter 14

Jesu and I stretched across my bed after a long day of sulking in the cramped cave. We lay with our feet against the pillows and our heads hanging off the end. Jesu sipped a glass of blood, angling it well out of my reach. I wasn’t allowed to have any. He was intent on teaching me to control my urges.

I licked my lips and tried to focus on something else. “So what did that man say to you, back in Nellim? Wasn’t he afraid of you?”

Jesu cocked his eyebrow. “The human?”

“The
veterinarian
, yes. By the way, I’m offended you took me to an animal doctor.” I nudged him teasingly.

“You were an animal at the time.” He grinned. “Had you shifted back, he would have really panicked.”

“How could he not know? I mean, not to be rude, but with your complexion…”

Jesu’s grin widened. “I told him I was ice-fishing when my dog ran off.”

I rolled my eyes. “Ha ha.”

“What else could I have said? You had a bullet in your shoulder and needed medical attention.”

“My hero.” I smiled, but then my gaze returned to the glass of blood. The thirst rumbled in my gut, and my smile fell. I wet my lips and whispered. “So how did you find me?”

Jesu shook his head. “I almost didn’t. I was looking for a vampyre, not a wolf. I did not think you would shift. I caught your scent in the forest just in time.”

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. I didn’t think one reindeer would be a big deal.”

“
One
reindeer probably would not have caused any harm, but you went after an entire farm.” He chuckled.

I looked at my hands. “I was only going to eat one of them, though.”

He laughed again. “Ema, the reindeer do not know that. Next time, shift into a bat. They will barely notice if you land on their backs and take a little bite.”

“Thanks, but that’s the last time I go after reindeer, or anything else.”

“Nonsense, every vampyre needs to know how to hunt properly.” He sat the glass on the floor. My breath quickened as I calculated how long it would take to snatch the glass and devour its contents.
Two seconds
. Maybe four, if I had to go through Jesu first.

I shrugged at his suggestion. I had the feeling I could easily take down an entire herd of reindeer if I was thirsty enough. It was the damn farmer and his gun that spoiled everything. Deciding to change the subject, I asked him something that had been on my mind for a while. “What happened to the Nephilim?”

Jesu shifted his weight. “I told you, they became extinct.”

I shook my head. “No they didn’t. Vampyres can have Nephilim babies, just like they can have human babies. So where are they?”

He sighed. “Nephilim offspring are considered abominations and are destroyed upon birth.”

“But there must have been some who tried to keep them?”

Jesu shook his head. “It’s unlikely. There is a huge physical difference between a Nephilim baby and a human or vampyre baby. It is easier for parents to kill a baby that looks like a monster. Keeping one is taboo, and most likely impossible. The child would eventually turn on its parents. The murder of human offspring, on the other hand, is widely debated and disagreed on. Most vampyres see no reason to kill their human children, as they could easily be changed like I was.”

“Do they still kill human babies?”

“It is still the law to kill them. However, we keep records of how many are born, and the numbers are decreasing. Some think the vampyre gene may have evolved into an actual species, not just a hybrid. Of course, it could also mean more vampyres are lying about their human young. Jalmari believes the latter since more clans are trying to be human-friendly.”

I scoffed. “I find that hard to believe.”

Jesu chuckled. “Well, I never said it was mainstream, but it is a growing trend among our kind, especially in industrially developed countries. The Neo-Draugrian clan is human-friendly.”

I raised my brows. “Really?”

“Of course. We do not kill humans. We get our blood from blood banks. We do not terrorize the Sami tribes or any of the locals.”

“What about Jalmari? He terrorized me. He hunts Romani people, you said so yourself.”

Jesu winced. “I suppose I have not been entirely honest with you. The Romani—”

A raspy knock on the door interrupted him. I scented the air and recognized Maria’s skin in my nostrils. I stood and opened the door for her.

“Goodness, darling, you’re looking a little ill. When was the last time you had something to drink?” Maria lifted a hand to my cheek.

“At least twenty-four hours ago.” I sighed, remembering how thirsty I was.

Jesu sat upright. “I assume, since you are back, my brother is as well?”

“Yes.” Maria nodded.

“And how is your husband?”

“Oh, he’s fine, dear, just fine. Busy as always.”

Jesu nodded. “Jalmari ought to give you two a break.”

She waved a hand. “Oh nonsense, we love working for your brother.”

“I am sure you do.” Jesu smiled. “You get to live in a castle while Naamah works in the city.”

“Well, I can’t say I don’t miss him, but you boys are so sweet. I don’t mind looking out for you.” She winked at him and then took my hands in hers. “I’ll get you something to drink, darling.”

Jesu spoke up. “That won’t be necessary. She has a drink right here.” He held up the glass.

“Well, all right, I’ll be on my way then.”

“It’s great seeing you again, Maria,” I added.

She paused just inside the hallway. “You too, dear. By the way, did you come up with a name for the cat?”

I smiled and shook my head. “Actually, I haven’t seen him in a while. I hope he’s okay.”

“I’m sure he’s just hunting mice in the forest. He’ll be back.” She smiled at us before leaving.

I closed the door and then sat on the bed next to Jesu. “Are you okay? You’re all flushed.”

He blinked, his complexion brightening. “I am? How can you tell?”

I laughed. “Your cheeks turn bright blue when you blush. Maria’s really sweet, isn’t she?”

“Yes.” Jesu rubbed his cheeks as if trying to erase the color in them. “Her husband, Naamah, used to work for my father. He was the vampyre equivalent of a lieutenant for my father’s warriors. Maria stayed with us when Jalmari and I were young. She became good friends with our mother. When Jalmari inherited the throne, he promoted Naamah to Second.”

“Second?”

“It’s like being Prime Minister, only without as much authority or power. Basically, the only person Naamah has to answer to is Jalmari. He also made Maria his Third.”

“I see,” I mumbled, but my attention was really on the glass of blood in Jesu’s hand. “Jesu, I really need a drink.” I licked my lips to keep from drooling. My face twitched as I ground my teeth together and balled my fists.

He followed my gaze to the glass and smiled. “All right, here.”

I reached for it, but Jesu wouldn’t let go. “What, I can’t hold the cup on my own?”

“I do not want you to gulp it all. Just sip it.”

“Fine, just a sip, no problem.”

He let go of the glass. I breathed in the sweet scent of salt and metal. Delight tingled along every fiber of my body. I wanted to chug it. Instead, I quickly took a taste and then shoved it toward Jesu, who took the glass from me.

“There, see? Easy.”

I spoke too soon. Instead of fulfilling, or even curbing my thirst, the sip teased my insides, leaving me restless and irritated. I twitched while tapping my fingernails against my thigh. “I… I need more.”

“Wait a minute.” Jesu narrowed his eyes.

I tapped my toes. My throat dried until a dull ach throbbed against my tonsils. Rage flared beneath my skin.
I could just take it from him. There’s no reason for this. I’m a Goddamn vampyre, this is what I do. I should kill him and drink
his
blood.
I shook my head.

“Jesu, please. I think I might try to hurt you if—”

“Just one minute. You can do this. You can control your urge for one little minute, Ema.”

I shut my eyes, pressed my fingers to my temples, and shook my head. “Talk to me, please.”

“What would you like to talk about?”

“Anything. I just need… sitting here in silence… all I can think about is… ” I eyed the glass. Jesu reached back and set it on the nightstand. It took all of my strength to keep from lunging at it. I hugged my knees to my chest, but couldn’t take my eyes off the blood.

Jesu held my hands. “Ema, look at me.” He placed his thumb and index finger on my chin and gently tilted it up so that I faced him. “Look at me.”

My eyes soon followed, and I peered at him.

“Tell me about Chicago. They have a lake there, right? The third largest lake in the world?” He lightly kissed the top of my right hand, his lips nothing more than a feather against my skin. I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with the gesture, but my head was too far gone to care.

“Yes… Lake Michigan… but it’s not as beautiful as Lake Inari.”

Jesu grinned and sighed in relief.

With his help, I was able to sip the entire glass of blood like a civil person. However, neither of us knew what to do about the high which followed. Instead of hitting me all at once, the euphoria grew stronger with each sip, until the full effect took over. My mind soared and my body tingled with energy.

I lay on my back with my eyes closed, trying to control myself. The bloodlust wanted to turn to the man lying next to me, but I knew that was a bad idea. Besides, I was sure Jesu didn’t want to… and I wouldn’t anyway. He was my only friend here. I wouldn’t spoil that just to satisfy carnal urges.

Instead, I thought about Anthony. I realized my mistake the instant my heart plummeted into my stomach. To keep from drowning in depression, I turned my thoughts back to Jesu. Though he didn’t speak, his body was not silent. His even breathing and steady heartbeat played a calming lullaby. I phased my right hand, the one farthest from him so he wouldn’t see, and felt his body heat roll forth in waves. The corners of my mouth crept upward. I loved my new way of feeling.

“What are you smiling about?” Jesu asked.

“Nothing.” I quickly unphased my hand.

“Are the effects wearing off some?”

I frowned and opened my eyes. “Not yet.”

“What does it feel like?”

“It feels a little like being drunk, only…” I tried to find the words to describe it. “It’s a stimulant, not a depressant.”

“Let’s exercise your powers some more. Physical work might help you sober up, or at least, take your mind off it.”

I sat up. “All right.”

“You have wolf-form down pretty well,” he teased. “How about bat-form?”

I cringed. “I hate flying as a bat. It’s so much easier to fly Neo-Draugrian style.”

“All the more reason to practice it. Like I said before, it would be much easier to feed off large animals in bat-form. You would not even have to kill them.”

I shrugged. “If you say so. Are all vampire bats actually vampyres?” I transformed my arms first. The limbs shortened to stubs, and my fingers grew long, webbed, taking on the shape of demonic wings.

“No, and not all bat-shifting vampyres shift into that specific species, either. Only the Stragoian do.”

I shrugged and finished the transformation. Joints popped, bones bent, and cartilage shifted as fur covered my skin. The room more than tripled as I shrank in size. My clothes pooled around me. My sight blurred, then died altogether. I thought about what little I knew about flying with wings. As a vampyre, flying was automatic. As a bat, it was manual and required a great deal of coordinated work. The hardest part was lifting off and getting into the air to begin with.

It didn’t help that I was blind in this state. My brain was slowly getting used to deciphering sound waves, but the sudden change took some adjustment. Using the hook-like claw on my wings, I tried to make sense of the layers of fabric I was tangled in, and pulled myself out of my clothes onto the bed’s padded surface. I felt around for the edge of the mattress. Finding it, I flapped my wings and hopped over the brink only to flitter to the floor, landing on my belly.

“Here,” Jesu offered. I followed the sound of his voice until I felt the warmth of his fingers near the ground, then climbed into his cupped hands. “I am going to place you on top of the wardrobe. It might be easier if you start with some height.”

As an animal I had no way to speak, so I nodded my furry head as best I could. I felt the solid wood of the wardrobe as Jesu let go. I stretched my wings as wide as possible and jumped from the ledge. This time I was able to glide around the room twice before hitting a wall and fluttering to the floor.

“Are you okay?” He scooped me into his hands and gently placed me on the bed. “I think the problem is lack of space. Change back and meet me in the hall.”