This Blood (29 page)

I swam to the ledge, pushing myself out of the pool and moved to the edge where Ann sat. My mind was racing, I couldn’t believe my ears.

“
Beauty
?”  I yelled. “That’s your main argument? Are you forgetting the beauty of the vampires? They rival all of these men.” I gestured wildly around the empty room. “You of all people should know that beauty can be a disguise for the cruelest creatures of all.”

“I know, Grace, I haven’t forgotten, but they are different. I
know
it… I just know it.”  She stood, the water sluicing off her legs to puddle on the pearl floor.

“Okay, Annie, you go ahead and believe, but don’t let fantasy get you in over your head. Be careful”

Just then, the door opened and in walked several of the village ladies, all laden with piles of clothing. Some carried small vials and bottles. One carried a wild looking headdress. Long silver strands hung like hair making it almost as tall as she was.

Andrea stood by her daughter, directing the women around the room as they arranged the items on a single long table.

Ann and I were rooted to the spot, our eyes taking in all the preparations. We were led silently to two dainty silver chairs.

Andrea stepped close, “We have been sent to prepare you for the feast. As we speak, our people are gathering in the Hall and are most anxious to begin the negotiations.” She smiled warmly, her attractive features made even lovelier by the gesture. “We are all so very honored by your presence.” 

“So,” I stammered, wide-eyed, “you are aware of who we are? And why Gavyn brought us here?”

“Why, yes, of course, we all are.” She seemed surprised, “You are our savior; you will rekindle life where there is none. You will bless the wombs of our women and save our young from falling into eternal sleep.”

I almost laughed. “But, no pressure, I wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed.” I smiled with too much teeth as I watched her process my sarcasm. A small smile played at her lips.

“You do not realize your stature,” she said patiently. “Gavyn would never have allied his people to such as where you found him. He is a great man, a noble man, but our need is greater, you must see that.”

“I’ll reserve my opinion until I see how honorable he really is. He took something of mine. I want it back, and right now that is all that matters to me.”

Her eyes went cool for an instant. Her loyalty to Gavyn was impressive.

“I noticed there aren’t many women around. This seems like a village mostly of men. I’m not complaining, mind you, but it seems that with looks like theirs, one would expect every female within a thousand miles to be galloping to this place.”

Her face fell. “You jest, but it is a sad fact. The women you see are all the women that are left of our people. We number a mere fifty and all but the youngest have wed. Most are already promised, so it makes for a hard life of frustration for most of our men.”

I glanced at Ann, whom the women were dressing. I hadn’t noticed at first, but my conversation with Andrea had prevented the women from attending to me. I still sat bare-ass naked, but the conversation was shedding some much needed light. My nudity was the least of my worries.

“No, offense and I really mean no disrespect,” I said, “but if your people have infertility problems, and you’re facing extinction, wouldn’t it be wise to try and get pregnant with as many partners as possible?  I mean, what if a woman’s husband were the infertile? You could be wasting a perfectly good womb.” 

My eyes searched hers to find the pain I was sure to have inflicted, but all I saw was a deep sadness.

“This too has been tried. It would seem that all but a very few of our women are barren. And of those small few, only a smaller few have had the fortune to bear a living child. It is as if a curse has been placed on our race. We seem doomed to extinction. Our men are desperate. Some have tried to breed with those closest to our species, but human women exist in a different realm than ours and do not deal well with our reality. Still, we must do all that is possible.”

I peered at Ann, whose eyes were huge and I could see the wheels turning in her head. I think Andrea’s people just found themselves a willing human broodmare. Turning back, my eyes fell on the beautiful Misha. 

“You’re not barren; you have a daughter. Can’t you have anymore? You’re definitely young enough.”

She smiled again. The look on her face as she gazed at her daughter was one of love and pride. “Yes, I have a daughter, but sadly she was the only one of several births to live beyond the womb. I dare not try again. My body and my soul cannot cope with another loss.”

I flinched at her pain. Then scrambled to change gears, I asked, “Misha, are you old enough to wed?”

The young woman’s eyes lit up at my words.

“Why, yes! I am promised to be Wren on the next full moon. We will then see if I can contribute to the recovery of my people.”

“Well,” Andrea heaved a small sigh, “you are far overdue for your care. We will speak no more of these woes for now. Let us tend to you so that you may be honored at our feast.”

I was pulled to my feet and turned around by several delicate hands, each assuming a different task. My hair was brushed and styled and my face made up by fabulous, aromatic items that came from tiny silver boxes. I was dressed in a gown; or what I presumed was a gown. I couldn’t really see as my head was held in a vise-like grip while they fitted me with the huge headdress. It was fastened to several pieces of my own hair with surprisingly little discomfort.

At long last, the curtain of waifs parted and I was free to examine myself.

I lowered my head slowly, testing the weight of the enormous decoration on my head. I was surprised to find it very light, considering the size.

My eyes found Ann and I was thunderstruck. She was more beautiful than I had ever seen her before. A gown of flowing silken scarves danced around her in a rainbow of soft colors. Her legs and tummy were exposed in an artful fashion and her hair was straight. Two small strands were tied back with the same silver beads all the people wore. She looked as lovely as any of these stunning females.

“Annie, honey, I believe you got your wish. You look incredible!”

She turned her smiling face from the full-length mirror, “My God, Gracie, you are the Fairy Queen!” she sighed cheerfully.

I smiled, feeling like I just stepped out of a show in Vegas. I walked to the mirror, watching a slack-jawed look overwhelm my best friend’s face. Then I understood. The long pale blue gown I wore was very revealing.  The neck plunged in a V past my navel, exposing the roundness of my breasts. It gathered just below my navel and flowed down to open again to show my legs. The sleeves were long and fell in soft, flower-like petals a few inches past my hands. Long slits revealed my arms to the wrist.

My body was clean and free from any bruising.  Only the smallest scars remained from Seth’s ardor. That small reminder of him would stay with me forever. I felt so glad he was unable to change me into a vampire.

My reflection took my breath away and my wandering thoughts evaporated. The headdress was amazing. It was made of tiny silver strands, woven and interlaced throughout my thick hair, which was left down to flow in long curls against my bare back. The top of the decoration was fashioned like a crown with several needle-thin strands of silver twisted to decorate my forehead.

Vegas this was not. I almost agreed with Ann. I looked like a Fairy Queen.  

“Perfect!” Misha exclaimed with a smile. “You are ready.”

Most of the ladies preceded us out of the bathing chamber. We were told to walk slowly behind the group so that we could meet with Lucian and enter the hall in unison.

Thirty-one

The walk was short and soon we were approaching what must be the Great Hall. People were milling around the entrance and I scanned the crowd, trying to find Lucian in the vast sea of men. The throng appeared to disperse as word of our arrival spread. They all began to flood en masse through the doors, leaving only a small group outside.

Lucian was there. He looked magnificent in a pale blue tunic. The square neckline revealed a modest amount of muscular chest. His soft looking pants clung in all the right places, forcing me to school my gaze. His face, as ever, was incredibly handsome and his golden skin shone healthy and vibrant. His strong jaw was set in a firm, unhappy line. He seemed ready to brawl as he surveyed the area.

Our eyes met and his mouth spread into a rare and beautiful smile. He ran to us as we approached the door.

“Grace! You look amazing.” He bent and brushed his warm lips to mine. “I’m so happy you’re alright. And Ann, how beautiful you look.” He pulled her into a tight hug, which she returned warmly, clearly happy to see him.

We stood in front of the doors, not sure what to do next when Gavyn and another man approached.

“Lucian, if you will escort our fair Grace, and Tobias, please take the arm of the fair Ann, that we may enter the hall and begin the feast.”

I placed my hand in Lucian’s warm grip and Ann linked arms with her golden escort. Her face turned a lovely pink as she gazed at her handsome companion. We followed Gavyn, entering the room through rounded double doors. The long tables were already filled with men. I scanned the room, searching for Andrea and the other women, but they were nowhere to be found.

“Where are all of the ladies?” I whispered to Lucian. “Weren’t they invited to the feast?”

Lucian leaned a bit to my side and whispered back, “I heard some of the men say they would only join us if things went well, whatever that means.”

“I think I might have an idea what they mean,” I said quietly.

He stood straight again as we arrived at the main table, where we were led to our seats. Ann and I were offered our seats before any of the men would take theirs. The murmurs in the room died quickly as we sat.

I felt both energized and nervous. Gavyn hadn’t briefed me in the least about this meeting, but from what I learned so far, I knew they were incredibly desperate. I understood their pain and how much they believed that I was the only answer. Looking out at these beautiful people, I knew I couldn’t let them die out. I wanted to help them, I had to help.

Gavyn stood. His voice rang out across the room. “My brothers,” he began. “We have suffered many lifetimes with no hope for a solution to our dilemma. Then, out of the grim darkness came a call from the great vampire, Lord McPhee.  His goal - to unite the leaders of all species under his rule - was a lofty one. He claimed to have a weapon, so powerful no being from any living realm would be able to oppose him. This was curious news indeed. For what could possibly be powerful enough to thwart the magic and command of all the great heads? Well, in his arrogance and pride, the foolish Lord McPhee revealed that his great weapon was not his at all, but belonged to the ancient Madea. Our race is an ancient people with a vast knowledge of the great Madea, so at long last we finally saw a shred of hope.”

My hands were sweating, I had no idea that Seth called on all the non-human leaders. What an asshole! But, I thought to myself, it was his arrogance that ruined everything for him in the end. He took his chance at omnipotence for granted and thereby lost some clout with his Council members.

My mind wandered back to the horrible look on his face right before I hit him with the marble bust. God, all that blood!  The look of shock and betrayal just before the blow fell still made my stomach churn. The surge of adrenaline was so strong, that I hadn’t had time to really feel anything. But I felt it now, and stupidly, my heart wept. God, what a sap I was!

I shook myself as the sound of Gavyn’s voice interrupted my sentimental journey.

“And now we are honored to welcome her here. I would like all of you to stand up and greet our savior, the Great Madea, Grace.”

The men rose to their feet, cheering and clapping as Gavyn helped me stand. He took my hands in his and spoke softly.

“Grace, I beg you to please help us. I know you are virtuous and your heart is kind. How can you look out upon my people and deny us our future?”

I gulped as I spotted the ring on his small finger, but I turned, trying to push any negative thoughts aside for the moment and examine the big picture.

“May I speak?” I said in a voice above the crowd and the room fell quiet. “I have heard your request and I understand your desperation, which, I guess, is quite an understatement.” There’s a reason I never excelled as a public speaker! I cleared my throat at the unanimous hush and looked down at Lucian. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it lightly. His support was surprising, but very welcome.

“Well, the thing is, (ahem), is that I’m not quite sure how I can help you.”  The murmurs began again, making me more nervous than ever. “That is,” I stammered stupidly, “I mean, I know I can help you, I just need to know what exactly you want me to do. I don’t want to end up causing more harm than good.”

The murmurs turned into a loud roar. “What does she speak of?” A voice rang out above the crowd.

I let go of Lucian.

Raising my arms to try to quiet them, I yelled over the noise.

“Balance,” I shouted, but the murmurs continued. “What I’m speaking of is balance. I mean, this is nature we’re talking about.” I continued as the room fell silent again. Clearly, I had said something intelligent.

“We cannot make the wombs of your women so fertile that you over-populate. We must have balance. This is a thing that must be handled wisely. You can’t ask me to do something that will inadvertently end up harming you later on.”

The men in the room looked thoughtful.

Feeling somewhat charged, I continued. “Well, for instance, let’s say I make it so that none of your children die. Well, there’s always the possibility they might live forever. Or if I simply will your women’s wombs to remain fertile, they could end up being pregnant for the rest of their poor lives. It could even kill some of them.”

Worried looks began changing the expressions of most of the men. I folded my arms across my chest, slightly annoyed they hadn’t thought anything through.