Blood Life Seeker (7 page)

“There is some good news though, Kiwi.”

I looked up into Nero's coffee coloured eyes, his hand still on mine, his other coming up to stroke my cheek, as he had intended to before. He looked slightly amazed, in awe even, like what he saw before him was something divine, special, worthy of worship. I didn't feel like any of those things, sitting here in my gym gear, slightly messed up from my confrontation with Rick. I felt so far removed from that look in Nero's eyes that I could meet his gaze without embarrassment or discomfort. He was surely looking at someone else.

His voice reached me down that long narrow tunnel of remoteness, pulling me back into his world. “The
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
has returned to us. The Prophesy is true.”

Now why was I thinking that I wasn't going to like hearing about this?

“The
Sanguis Vitam
what?”

I knew what
Sanguis Vitam
was of course: the blood life, or power force of a vampire. But, what the hell was
Cupitor
?

“
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor.
You are the Blood Life Seeker. This is brilliant news, Kiwi, it could not be better. If the
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
has been returned to us, then our powers are building again.”

He seemed very excited, very excited indeed. His eyes were dancing, wicked shades of brown; chocolate and chestnut, bronze and burnt umber, copper and mahogany. They shone in the lights of the room, sparkling like diamonds, lighting up his face. It was almost like he was a vampire. I have never seen another human, even a part human like we are, have eyes that can change with emotion like this.

I could understand what he was saying though, I guess, why he was so happy. He's almost 500 years old and for most of that time he has had to live in seclusion, hidden from the world, unable to be what he actually is. The Nosferatin had decided to go into hiding several centuries ago, to pull away from the Nosferatu, thereby denying them the power they craved. Most took this undertaking seriously, literally, they hid and rejected all creatures of the night. It meant that their first borns, those with the Nosferatin, vampire hunter, gene like me, were unable to join with a kindred vampire and avoid death. It meant that they had consciously chosen to allow their first borns to die.

Because of that choice both the Nosferatu and the Nosferatin had been losing their powers. Together is how we are meant to be, apart we lose strength, we slowly die as a race. It also meant that there were far fewer Nosferatin today than there used to be and therefore for more Nosferatu.

“I understand why you're all happy and such, but what does this actually mean for me? What does being the
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
entail?”

Nero practically rubbed his hands together in glee, he was just so damn happy about this, wasn't he? I'd never seen Nero like this before, he was like a whole different person, so full of delight, almost exuberant in his euphoria. I couldn't help laughing at him, it was just so strange.

He realised he was acting a little weirdly then, he looked quite abashed, it was kind of cute. “I am sorry, Kiwi. I am already happy to be in your company, this is too much for even my self control to contain. We have been waiting a long time for the return of one of prophesied, it has become a dream, a non-reality we did not dare to expect. When I met you, I had begun to hope again, you shine the brightest of all Nosferatin I have ever seen. Even my family could see it. Even they began to hope.”

“I know I glow with the Bond I have with Michel and all, but what made you think I shined?”

He smiled and touched my cheek. “One of my powers is to recognise auras for what they represent. I am, you might say, a Herald for our kind. It is my calling to perceive what might become. As to what you may expect as the
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
, you are merely one of several who will be. Now that you have arrived among us, there will be other Nosferatin who will fulfil various parts of the Prophesy. Together you will help us take back the night, only together do we stand a chance against the Darkness which has threatened to overtake us all.”

OK. So, I've got to hang around for some more of my kind to get on the band wagon, then together we kick the evil undeads' butts. What do I do in the meantime?

“So, how long until these other Nosferatin turn up with the special dose of powers needed?” I asked.

“It could be soon, or many years, but the power that makes us what we are will determine when they are needed.”

“And in the meantime, what do I do with this knowledge, because I'm telling you now, Nero, it's not much fun. It keeps me awake at night and threatens to consume me at odd times during the day. I sense when they will strike, I know where they are and that they intend someone harm, but I can't get to them all, can I? Or is that what I am meant to do? Is that why I can Dream Walk too?”

Aside from Nero and myself, there is apparently only one other Nosferatin who can currently Dream Walk. It is a powerful tool in our belt, but also a rare one.

“When the others arrive, it will be easier. You will be drawn to each other and then you will work together. You will not necessarily need to go to the evil, it may come to you. But alone, it would be unwise to face that amount of Darkness, alone it may consume you.”

“So, how do I ignore it? I know without a doubt that someone, somewhere, is getting hurt, maybe killed. How can I not do something to help?”

Nero brushed my hair back behind my ears, it's shoulder length and straight and sometimes can fall forward and get in the way. I hate tying it back. You'd think I would, fighting vampires, it's too much of a temptation to grab, but I'm a girlie girl through and through, despite my birthright and being an evil undead slayer, I just have to have girlie hair.

“If you give in to it, you will place yourself in too much danger. Alone you cannot face what is out there. You are too precious now to risk. Your survival is paramount in our fight against the Dark. Without you the rest of the Prophesy will not succeed.”

He saw the haunted and tormented look in my eyes. I didn't think I could ignore this. I didn't think I could stand idly by and watch the world be consumed by so much Darkness, watch the innocent die because of my inaction. I knew what he was saying made sense. I understood that I was needed when the others arrived to direct them to where the evil was, but I couldn't just do nothing, I wouldn't do nothing. I'm just not that kind of person.

It's not that I'm a hero, or wish to be a martyr, far from it. I fear death, but I cannot watch others die when I could help. I did that once and it eats me up inside daily. It has taken a part of my soul from me, that I will never be able to reclaim. If I do nothing in the face of so much death and evil now, I will lose all of myself. I will cease to exist. Then how much help would I be to the others?

He nodded, he understood. Sometimes it was like he could read my mind, or maybe he was just better at gauging my feelings, from the emotions playing across my face, than Michel is. But, sometimes, I felt more in tune with Nero than I could ever be with Michel. It frightened me. Nero was not my kindred Nosferatu. Nero and I did not share a particularly strong Bond. But Nero was the one I felt I could trust, implicitly, completely, without reservations. If only I could combine the two men, my life would be so much easier.

“I will work on a spell that will bind me to you when you Dream Walk, then you shall not be alone. When you feel the need to be somewhere, when you feel that pull, I will know and I will come to where you are if I am able. But - and this you must promise me, Kiwi - do not Dream Walk intentionally right now. Should you Dream Walk twice in a night you will be vulnerable. If the Enforcer pulls you under and you have already Dream Walked once that day, you will be unable to rise. Your kindred vampyre may be able to protect your body while you rest, but then again, he may not. The Enforcer may be waiting for such an opportunity, he would be difficult to repel.”

I nodded, he was right. Dream Walking was a nifty little talent, but it came with a caveat. More than one Dream Walk per day/night and you were taxed out, unable to wake from that nothingness. The first time I did it took a whole week for me to wake. Now apparently, as I have passed my 25
th
birthday, meaning I have matured as a Nosferatin, it would be more like three days. But, three days is enough for Gregor to get here. Three days is too long.

“So, what are we going to do about Gregor?” I asked.

“As soon as I have the spell, I can come to your aid. In the meantime, make sure you have your stake nearby and perhaps your vampyre too.”

“My vampire? You mean Michel?”

Nero looked a little pained at what he was about to say. “If your Dream Walk is potentially a threat to your safety, such as Dream Walking to the Enforcer would be, then it will take along what it sees is best for your well being in that realm. If Michel is by your side when you sleep, he will be pulled into your Dream Walk too. At least for now, until I can master the spell, it would mean you are not alone.”

Well, wasn't Michel just going to love this? If he had his way, I would be by his side 24/7. Luckily, it only seems to be when I sleep that Gregor can call me to him, but as soon as Nero gets that spell perfected, I swear I'll be back to my apartment. I will not give Michel more control over me than he already has.

“I will also do some research, we have old tomes that provide for more detail on the Prophesy. I have read them all over time, but much has been forgotten and buried under too much clutter now, I need to revise. I will see if there is something of importance I have missed.”

“What
is
the Prophesy exactly, Nero?”

He's talked about the Prophesy before, even before I knew what we were, he mentioned it in a conversation we had, a teleconference with other Nosferatin. He said it had been foretold that we would face Darkness again. At the time he was unable to elaborate and afterwards I clear forgot to ask.

“I have told you what our people call us, have I not?”

“
Yes.
The Children of Nut
.
” He had told me the Legend of Thoth, the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Thoth once
prophesied a child would be born to Nut who would become Pharaoh after Ra. It was told that she had five children, Osiris was the first born and it was proclaimed to the heavens on his birth, 'The Lord of All comes forth into the Light!' We are the Children of the Light, apparently. We force out evil and banish the dark. To Nero's people we are
The Children of Nut
.

He smiled, pleased that I remembered.

“It is an Egyptian legend, but it is merely an Egyptian version of something that exists in many cultures, if not all. Dark versus Light, Good versus Evil. It is a battle that rages in all human history. It is not just singular to ours. We are the descendants of Nut, her son Osiris is our ancestor, he was the first of the Lords of the Light. It was foretold that his children would battle evil and bring forth Light. You have it in you stronger than most. The Light you used in Egypt to destroy so many vampyres is evidence of that. I have never witnessed such power before, such Light. It is part of the Ancients' sovereignty. It is a power of the Gods, it is divine.”

Well hell. I knew what I did in Cairo a few weeks ago, when we were aiding Nero and Nafrini and trying to get their stolen immature Nosferatin back, was unprecedented. I knew it was pretty darn big. I mean I managed to burst into light and dust about thirty vampires, but I have no idea how I did it and it scared the bejeebers out of me. I sincerely hope I never have to do it again, because it's doubtful I could repeat it on request and I sure as hell don't want to either. But, to say it is divine, god-like, is just too much. This could not all be true.

“This is just some elaborate way to put into words the supernatural abilities of our kind, isn't it? That's what people do, they make up stories to fit the unreal, to make it seem more logical than it is. None of this makes sense, Nero, none of it could be true.”

He smiled at me then, a sad smile laced with pity. As though he was sorry for me that I could not see it, could not understand it, could not believe it. I guess that's what faith is all about. I was raised a Christian, we don't have any stories of Lords of the Light. It's just not in my psyche, it's just not ever been placed there.

“You do not have to believe, my Kiwi, you just have to live it. You are what you are and there is no denying that you are a
Child of Nut
.
”

Well, I wasn't so sure, but what could I say? I can force the Light out of my body, I am drawn to the Dark if only to bring it Light, and my name, Lucinda, means
Giver of Light
. What could I say?

We sat there for a while, just looking at each other. Nero was no longer touching me, but it felt like there was a line between us, a string suspended in the air connecting us to each other. I wondered briefly, if that was what people felt when they were with their kin. That connection on such a basic level, unseen to the human eye, but felt within the deepest part of our souls.

I don't know how long we sat there, saying nothing, just looking into the eyes of the other. There were no words for what I was feeling. I may not fully believe in what Nero had said, I could not comprehend that we were descendant from some ancient god, but I knew without a doubt, that we were of the same ilk. We were of the Light and the vampires were of the Dark. That alone connected me to him more than anything else, but there was something more. I hadn't wanted to acknowledge it, I put it down to the mere fact that we had been through quite a lot together. Life and death situations tend to bind people to one another, they create heightened emotions, providing for a false sense of intimacy. It wasn't real, but it felt real and right then it was taking all of my self control not to give in to it. Not to move that foot or so closer to be in his arms.

I could tell he was feeling it too, all it would have taken would have been for him to shift, just slightly towards me and my hard won control would have been lost. He was fighting it, as I was fighting it, but we both knew that it was a losing battle. I could see it in his eyes, in how they devoured me, begged me, to make that first move. I have never been asked such an intimate question from just the look in a man's eyes before. It stole my breath away, it stilled my beating heart. Right at that moment nothing else existed but Nero.