Sacrifice (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 2) (21 page)

~ Chapter Twenty-four ~

I stood there, leaning over the balcony railing, wondering if I would be able to see the beach if I leaned out as far as I could. But what I was really doing was procrastinating. I put my phone down on the little table, and rubbed my hands down my jeans trying to dry the sweat from my palms. The breeze that I usually found so refreshing just wasn’t doing it for me today. I figured I must be having some sort of anxiety attack or something. My God, this was my husband that I was going to ring. I wasn’t back in the seventh grade, ringing some boy I had a crush on. Pull yourself together, McIntyre. Build a bridge, get over it. I’d laughed the first time I heard that one. Yeah, get over it. You did something stupid. You ran from the man that you swore eternal love to. Yep, big mistake. But, get over it. Fix it. Make amends. Beg for forgiveness, already. Just ring the bloody number.

I sat down and picked up the phone. Then I put it back down on the table, and stared at it, willing it to ring. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if he rang me? Or should I ring Crystal? I could ring her, and ask about Sam—whether he seemed okay, or whether he was furious with me. But then there was the risk that I mightn’t want to hear what she had to say. No, that wouldn’t do.

I picked up the phone again, and opened the contacts list. I pressed his name, but I stopped short of pressing the call button. Not just yet. I needed to regain some sort of control. I needed to slow my breathing so that I could get the words out.

I sat like this for several minutes before I decided that I shouldn’t ring at all. It would be too easy for either of us to say the wrong thing, or to think the other had said the wrong thing. No, I needed to see him, be near him, touch him, and look him in the eyes. I needed to surprise him, to catch him off guard so that I could see his true feelings when he first laid eyes on me. And I desperately needed to feel his arms around me.

I would just go. I’d take a taxi from the airport and surprise him at the house when he came in after work. I had my keys. I could simply let myself in and be sitting there when he walked in. Wasn’t that a much better approach? Besides, it bought me time; time to think about how to explain everything.

I picked up the phone and walked back into the apartment. There was a phone book in the kitchen. I rang the airline and got on the first available flight.

~~***~~

Unlike the Gold Coast, there was no doubt about it being winter in Melbourne. The sun was hidden behind a thick layer of dull grey cloud as the plane descended toward the runway. The pilot warned us to prepare ourselves for a slightly different climate to the one we’d left behind on the Gold Coast. The temperature was not expected to get above the low teens all day.

As I got off the plane, I shivered from the cold. Or maybe it was because I knew there was no going back now.

The taxi dropped me out the front of the house shortly before two. As I walked up the short flight of stairs, I looked longingly across the road to the gardens. My gardens, as I’d so fondly called them not so very long ago. One side of me wanted to walk over and look for Elizabeth and Henry, but I decided it was best that Sam be the first to know that I’d returned.

I let myself in, and went to the kitchen and made a cup of tea. Sitting at the small table, sipping the hot tea, I felt like a stranger even though, technically, I was sitting in my own home. I’d been gone for just over two months. Nothing had changed. But there was nothing here that comforted me either. We had no pets, and there were very few ornaments or personal items. We’d been married such a short time that I really hadn’t had much of a chance to make the place feel like my own. It was Sam’s home. I was just someone that had stayed here for a time.

I was shivering, and realised that my new Queensland hoodie, which was perfect for walking on the beach in the mornings, wasn’t enough to keep me warm on a winter’s day in Melbourne. I went up to Sam’s bedroom and found his heavy coat. I put it on, and rubbed the collar onto my cheek, breathing in its musky smell. Funny, but somehow just wearing his coat gave me a little more courage. I could do this.

As the clock approached two-thirty I began to doubt myself. I wondered if being here might be a mistake. One part of me wanted to get up and run, but I forced myself to stay put. He shouldn’t be much longer. I got up and made another cup of tea.

By three o’clock it occurred to me that maybe he wasn’t coming straight home after all. My plan to surprise him might have been a very poor one. He could be anywhere, doing anything, with anyone. Just because he’d come home when he’d finished at the market most of the time while I was with him, didn’t mean he’d do so today. What a fool I was, thinking I could just sit here and he’d walk in and kiss me hello and all would be well.

Twenty minutes later, when I’d almost talked myself into leaving, I heard the door open. By the time I stood up, he was there in front of me, his blue eyes sparking, and a frown creasing his otherwise perfect face.

‘Lili?’ his eyes questioned me, but there was no anger in them.

‘Hi’

‘God, I’m so glad to see you.’ He smiled, and the frown dissolved. His eyes sparkled, displaying all the love I’d hoped they would.

‘I’m sorry, I probably should have phoned ... I just thought it would be best … I thought,’ but I never got to finish what I was trying to say because Sam had his arms around me, holding me so tight that I could barely breathe.

‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he said and I could hear the love in his voice.

He stepped back and bent down to kiss me. It was better than I had dared to hope. All the love and passion that I’d walked away from was still there. All the worrying was needless.

When he straightened up, he pulled me close to his chest again and whispered my name over and over. Relief rushed over me like a wave at the beach, and I felt lighter—as though an actual weight have been lifted from my shoulders. I couldn’t remember feeling happier than I did at this very moment.

‘I’m so sorry. I should have trusted you to keep us safe, but I was scared.’

‘It’s all right. I don’t blame you, not one bit. I understood why you left,’ he said, pulling me in close to his chest.

‘You got my letter then … Crystal gave it to you?’

‘Yes, and she explained everything in detail.’

‘Oh Sam, I was so afraid that you might hate me for taking her … for leaving.’

‘I could never hate you. My love for you won’t ever diminish, no matter what happens. Please, always remember that. And I really do understand why you left—this isn’t a place for a human baby. And if that’s what you think she is, then of course you wanted to get her away. But, you’re here now—to see me—so she must be here too?’

‘I had to see you, to explain in person … before …,’ a lump developed in my throat, and it hurt so much I couldn’t get the words out.

‘Shush—it’s alright. Everything is fine,’ he said, stroking my hair and rubbing my back.

‘Oh Sam … thank you,’ I managed to get the words out, then sighed and took a deep breath. His comforting arms were giving me the strength I needed. I pulled myself back to look into his eyes. They held no animosity—only love.

‘So, is Ceylona upstairs? Can I see her?’ he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

‘No, I’m sorry, she isn’t here. My mother came over to find out why I kept cancelling our trip. She’s with Ceylona, in Queensland.’

‘That’s … good. I mean, I would love to meet her, to meet both of them really, but I think you’re right—it probably isn’t safe here. Not at the moment anyway. I’m glad she’s with your mother,’ he said.

It was one thing for me to think it wasn’t safe, but to hear him say it was like a blow to my stomach.

‘Has something happened?’ My heart started pounding wildly again.

I could feel the hesitation in him, and I doubted he wanted to tell me, but then he sighed and started talking. ‘Remember that rogue vampire, the one you ran into in the gardens? There have been others like him over the past two months … more than we’ve seen in ages. You were right not to bring Ceylona here.’

So, my intuition had been right. It wasn’t safe here, not now anyway. I was finding it hard to breathe as the memory of that day crept back into my mind. I was pregnant at the time … if anything had happened I might never have even met Ceylona. Focus, McIntyre; remember why you are here. I forced a deep breath, then leaned my cheek against his chest, drawing strength from his strong arms. It wasn’t safe here for us. I would have to leave. And he would not only let me go, but would possibly encourage me to do so.

‘So, are you comfortable there in Queensland? Is that where you want to stay, for a while?’

‘Well, actually,’ I pulled myself back from him, to look up into his eyes again.

‘You want to go back with your mother, don’t you?’ he asked, his face unreadable.

‘Yes. I mean, I think so … for a while anyway. Is that okay with you?’ I watched his face carefully, desperate to see approval in his eyes.

‘I’ll miss you so much, but it makes sense; for a little while at least. Until things settle down here. And while Ceylona is young you need people around you; people that love you. So of course, your family is where you should be.’ There was sadness in his eyes, and in his voice. But he also looked relieved.

‘So, you don’t mind if I take her to California?’

‘Lili, if you wanted to take her to Mars, I’d trust your judgement. I want you both to be safe, and to be surrounded by people who love you. Right now, it’s best that it isn’t me, so I do think you’re right to go to your family. For now, at least.’

There was still sadness in his voice, but I could tell he agreed with me. It eased my mind tremendously to know that I was going with his blessing.

‘I’ll need a passport for Ceylona.’

‘That’s okay. Michael can arrange it. That won’t be a problem.’

‘And you’re sure you’re alright with this … with us going so far away?’ I searched his face, trying to read his feelings.

He reached down and traced my eyebrows ever so lightly with his fingertips, then laid his palm against my cheek. I rested my head on his strong hand and tried to smile. His voice was deep and soothing when he finally spoke.

‘Lili, I love you more than anything. And I fully understand your need to protect your daughter, or rather our daughter. I know it won’t be forever. I know you’ll come back to me, when the time is right. Things won’t always be so crazy here. And who knows, Ceylona may surprise us and turn out to be a dhampira after all. If she does, then you’ll take her to Mladen, and come back to me.’

‘But it could be years.’

‘Yes, it could be. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll be waiting right here, just as I am now.’

How could I have run away from him? He was the most understanding person on the planet, and there I’d been, playing the runaway, hiding in a crowded city like some fugitive on the run. I’d watched far too many movies.

‘Oh, Sam … if there is ever any reason to suspect that she’s a dhampira, I’ll come back straight away. And we’ll keep in touch. We’ll get you a computer while we’re waiting for Ceylona’s passport. I’ll send you photos every day. And you’ll reply, won’t you?’

‘If that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do. You’ll just have to teach me how to use it.’

He leaned down and kissed me again, and it was as if we’d never been apart. All the shyness and uncertainty was gone. I was being held by my husband, and it felt so right.

Then slowly, with arms as strong as steel, he lifted me and effortlessly carried me upstairs to our bedroom, just like he had that first time.

~ Chapter Twenty-five ~

When we arrived at her house for breakfast the next morning Crystal sighed with what I took to be massive relief. Then she walked up and threw her arms around me. Michael was rather more subdued in his greeting, but he also seemed happy to see us together. I figured it was probably something to do with the look of happiness on Sam’s face; he seemed unable to stop grinning this morning.

While Crystal was disappointed that I hadn’t brought Ceylona with me, she said she fully understood. ‘This has been hard on you, no doubt. But I knew it was something that you had to do and there’d be no point trying to stop you. I must say, I was hoping you’d have come to me for help before now.’

‘I was thinking about it. I’m sure I would have, if Mom hadn’t turned up.’

‘Your mother, well, yes what a surprise that must have been. But of course, I should have known her concern for you would eventually overpower her fear of flying. So, what are your plans then?’

I looked over at Sam before answering, but he was no help—he just smiled. A lump developed in my throat as I looked at him, and once again I had to fight back the tears.

‘I’ll take Ceylona and go with Mom—to California; for a while anyway.’

Crystal drew in her breath slightly, but quickly regained her composure and smiled as she said, ‘Yes I can see how that does make sense. It’s better than you being alone somewhere. You’ll be much happier with support around you. But you’ll need to watch Ceylona very carefully. If she starts to grow quickly, or show any other signs of being a dhampira, tell your mother that you and Sam are going to try to reconcile, and get back here quick smart.’

Crystal seemed so hopeful that Ceylona was still going to turn out to be a dhampira.

‘Have you learned anything new, about growth patterns I mean? Her growing so slowly—do you think that could be normal for a dhampira?’

‘No, I haven’t learned anything new over the past few weeks. But let me have hope, please. I don’t think I can go through eternity knowing that I’d denied our world a gift as precious as Ceylona.’

I could see that Crystal was still struggling to come to terms with what she’d done. Sam’s acceptance of it didn’t seem to have lessened her pain at all. I’d been trying to decide whether to tell them about what Mom had told me—about my great-grandfather, and who he was. Perhaps it would give her more hope, knowing that Ceylona had this additional link to their world.

‘Well, I found out something that you might find interesting.’

Three sets of eyes bore down on me as I finished speaking, and you could cut the silence with a knife.

‘I guess that means you want to hear it?’ I teased, suddenly feeling quite powerful with my little bit of knowledge.

‘Lili? What have you learned?’ It was Michael who asked the question. I remembered that Michael was a control freak. Even a hint that I knew something that might matter to him was enough to get his attention and hold it.

‘It’s about my family. Something my mother told me, just the other day.’

Michael’s focus became even more intent, ‘Yes, go on,’ he said. I could tell he was struggling to keep his voice controlled.

‘It was about my great-grandfather, Francis,’ I said, studying their faces carefully.

Neither Sam’s nor Michael’s expressions changed, but when I looked at Crystal a very strange look came over her face.

‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ she said, her voice little more than a whisper.

‘Okay you two; elaborate,’ Michael sounded quite serious now.

‘Lili, tell us about this Francis, please,’ said Crystal, firmly.

I did my best to re-cap the story that Mom had told me. Although I don’t think I got the dates quite right, I certainly remembered the names; Francis and Caroline, and their daughter Francine, and then of course Francine’s husband, Thomas McIntyre and their children, Debra and Alan McIntyre.

The silence was palpable; until Crystal broke out in laughter. ‘Francis—well, I knew he was hiding something from me, but I never would have guessed this!’

Michael was staring at Crystal now. ‘You think you knew Lili’s great-grandfather, obviously. So, tell us what you know.’

‘You would have known him too, Michael. But I suppose you were young and didn’t take much notice of him. He was one of the teachers, at Mladen’s.’

‘Hmm, I might remember a Francis, but only vaguely.’

‘Well, he and I were quite good friends, actually, but he wasn’t cut out for the solitary lifestyle that Mladen and the other teachers led, so he used to go into the settlement areas and meet people. “Just for conversation” he’d say. But it sounds like there was more than just conversation going on, at least with this Caroline anyway!’

‘And you think that the Francis you knew is the same one that is related to Lili? And that he fathered a child?’ asked Michael.

Crystal just nodded, but she was grinning from ear to ear.

‘Interesting. I never realised that was possible. But it seems lately I’m finding out a lot of things about our world that I didn’t know,’ said Michael with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

‘It’s news to me too, Michael. But once Lili said the name, the resemblance became so obvious that I don’t know how I hadn’t seen it before. But what is really interesting … I mean, do you understand what this means, or at least could mean?’ Crystal’s voice was higher pitched than before, her excitement showing.

‘Well, it could mean a lot of things, but what has you so excited, my love?’ Michael asked, smiling at Crystal.

‘It means that Ceylona has vampire contagion from two different strains—from both her parents. And that could mean my tears had less of a chance of removing the contagion from her.’ Crystal answered, then turned to me and took both my hands in hers. ‘This is such wonderful news. Any wonder you’ve been so fertile—your body doesn’t reject the vampire contagion from Sam at all. On the contrary, it recognises it as being quite normal.’

‘Ah, well, yes any wonder why I was getting pregnant so easily.’

‘Yes, you certainly
fell
pregnant quite easily,’ Crystal corrected me, smiling.

‘So, Crystal, if you know Francis, what are the chances that I could, you know, meet him one day?’ I asked, barely daring to hope.

‘Not good, I’m afraid. He left for Europe many years ago—Mladen never said exactly where he’d gone, just that he had gone. From what you’ve told us of Caroline, I daresay it wasn’t long after her death.’

‘Oh, well, I just thought that it might … oh, never mind.’

‘Yes, it would have been nice. Perhaps someday he’ll return. You never know,’ said Crystal, smiling sweetly. ‘Now, shall I make you some breakfast? You must be starving.’

~~***~~

While I ate breakfast, Michael downloaded forms off the internet and then confirmed what Sam had said; there’d be no problems with the paperwork for Ceylona. He knew people that could ensure the birth certificate would be ready in a few days, and put a priority on the passport as well. Everything should be done within a couple of weeks.

Then I rang Mom to find out how she and Ceylona were coping without me.

‘Not a worry in the world. We’re getting along like a house on fire. And how’s everything there, with Sam?’

I could feel my face getting hot—could I be blushing? Wow, how stupid was that.

‘Everything’s really good, Mom. You were right.’

I heard this little ‘hmph’ sound over the phone, and I supposed she must be pretty pleased with herself. She’d been right. Were moms are always right?

‘Make the most of the time you have with him, dear. Give yourself some really nice memories. And please, don’t be glum. Remember what I said. Twenty years from now, when Ceylona is all grown up, you might still look quite young. You can come back, if that’s what you want to do.’

‘God, that sounds like forever. Twenty years. That’s like, my whole life!’

‘It’ll go quicker than you realise, sweetheart. Trust me. Now, did you ask Sam about coming up here for a few days? Didn’t you say he hasn’t even seen Ceylona yet?’

‘Yeah, I did. He hasn’t met her, but I will ask him … unless, of course, you wanted to come down here? You could meet Crystal and Michael too, then.’

‘Well yes, we could come down. Would that be better?’

Would it be a good idea? Crystal would love it. Between her, and Sam, and Michael and even Tom, surely they’d be able to protect us for a few days.

‘Let me speak to Sam,’ I finally answered her. ‘I’ll ring you later today, or tomorrow at the latest.’

If it was just for a few days, under constant watch whenever we’re out of the house, surely it couldn’t hurt, could it? Surrounded by my friends and family, I suddenly felt very brave. These rogue vampires were no match for Michael and Crystal and Sam—if they’re all together. And maybe we could even take Ceylona to the gardens so she could meet Elizabeth. I mean, if it was just for a few days, and we didn’t go anywhere without either Sam or Crystal or Michael with us, what harm could it do? None, I decided. But if it was okay to come for a few days, why did I need to leave? That thought crossed my mind for just a moment, but then I realised it was one thing to have bodyguards for a few days. But it was entirely another thing to actually live that way, on a permanent basis. No, we couldn’t stay here. But there was no reason we couldn’t have a little visit with everyone. And as I thought this, my spirits lifted. After all, if we could have a visit now, then surely we could have other visits, from time to time, couldn’t we?

~~***~~

Mom was able to get a flight for the following day. She wasn’t actually looking forward to it, but having survived the flight over the Pacific Ocean, a couple hours down to Melbourne was nothing, right?

A quick call to Debs confirmed that no, she and Ian hadn’t yet returned from Paris, but there was no-one at the apartment, and certainly we could all stay there. She’d left a key with a neighbour, so that wouldn’t be a problem. Debs was disappointed to be missing Mom’s visit, but it couldn’t be helped—Ian had agreed to stay on for a few extra months so they weren’t returning to Melbourne until the end of November.

Sam wasn’t too keen on us staying with Debs however, so instead, Tom moved out of the spare room so that Mom and Ceylona could have it. Tom didn’t mind. He was more than happy to spend a bit of time with Erranase, or not—it didn’t particularly worry him either way.

The following morning, as we were getting ready to go to the airport to get Mom, it was proving impossible to convince Crystal that it would be too crowded for her to come with us. Sam’s car was quite comfortable, but four adults, a baby, and luggage, would surely be too much. In the end, I gave in. She was not letting us go without her.

Standing in the arrivals area, I couldn’t believe how nervous I felt. I’d been separated from Ceylona for only a few days, but it felt longer. I’d missed her and couldn’t wait to hold her. But I think it was more to do with the fact that Mom was about to meet my husband for the first time. Would she like him? Would she understand why I’d married him?

The flight was on time, so at least we didn’t have to wait long. I was relieved as I saw Mom approaching with Ceylona safely snuggled into her chest. Mom was smiling. Everything was fine; so far.

She met my eye, and her smile widened. Then her gaze shifted to my left, where Sam was standing, and it was as if someone had walked over her grave. Her face went white, and her eyes widened. Surely she wasn’t about to faint was she?

‘Mom, you made it, safe and sound. And was Ceylona good on the plane? It was probably a good test, this short flight,’ I was desperately trying to ignore the look I’d seen on her face. Everything needed to be fine. It had to be. She had to like Sam.

‘Mrs McIntyre, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I trust you had a good flight? Coming over from California, as well as this short one,’ Sam said in a voice that was soft, and warm. He was staring at Mom so intently. And as he stared, her colour returned to normal, and her eyes softened. I sighed out of relief, and Sam quickly winked at me.

‘Yes, thank you. The flights were fine. But the pleasure is mine, Sam, I assure you. I’ve been quite anxious to meet the man who has swept my little girl off her feet.’

Crystal stepped forward with her arms outstretched. ‘Mrs McIntyre, I’m Crystal. It’s so nice to meet you. Lili has told me so much about you. Now, may I take Ceylona and give you a rest?’

Mom looked a bit reluctant to give her up, but I came over and lifted Ceylona gently from the carrier, giving her a big kiss and cuddle, before passing her over to Crystal’s waiting arms. Crystal would have so little time with her, so even though I too had missed her, I didn’t have the heart to deny Crystal this moment. As I took the carrier off Mom so I could place it over Crystal’s neck, I noticed she was looking much more relaxed.

‘Crystal’s been such a big help, Mom. And Ceylona adores her, see?’

I helped Crystal put the carrier on, and she popped Ceylona into it. Ceylona snuggled up against Crystal’s chest, cooing softly. Mom seemed to relax further when she saw how comfortable they were with each other. Then she turned her focus back to Sam.

‘Mrs McIntyre, may I take that bag for you?’ he said, still in that deep, mesmerising voice of his.

‘Anita. Call me Anita. And yes, you may take it, thank you,’ she said, handing the carryon bag to Sam, swaying a little as she handed it over.

I quickly walked back over and stood next to her. ‘So, shall we go get your suitcase then, Mom? The baggage claim is downstairs.’

‘Oh, yes of course. I’m sorry, I just suddenly feel so sleepy. I guess the jet-lag is beginning to catch up with me.’

I looked over at Sam, and he just smiled. It was great that she had something to blame her light-headedness on. We wouldn’t mention Sam’s abilities. There would be no point in it.

~~***~~

An hour later we were home. Mom disappeared upstairs to freshen up while Sam spent a little bit of time getting to know Ceylona. Then, when Mom came back downstairs, Crystal took Ceylona upstairs to rest, while I made some coffee.

Mom and Sam sat at the kitchen table, waiting for me to join them. I was close enough to see and hear their conversation, but far enough away that they didn’t seem to feel the need to include me in it.