NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul (8 page)

Van did not act surprised at Saldivar’s statement. He already knew of their strong mental connection.

Saldivar could not play any part in persuading Van to change. He deliberately closed his mind off so Van’s decision would be his. He could not assist him in any way. He also could not read Van’s mind. He did not really want to know ahead of time what Van wanted to do. All Saldivar could do was hope for the best.

Van tilted his head upwards and closed his eyes. He sucked in a breath through his nose. He straightened his head as he let out the breath and opened his eyes slowly. He spoke, his words unhurried and decided. “I feel death is so close
that
I can feel its icy fingers at my throat. I am so young yet I feel like a sixty year old man. At this rate, the older man could surpass me any day. It is also very tough for
me to admit that I have never known a woman or what love truly is. I am scared I will die never knowing of the true pleasures in life. The not knowing is scarier than death itself.” Van paused. He was gathering the courage for what he was about to say. It was now or never. It was either yes or dead.

Van looked at Saldivar square in the eyes. “I want life, Saldivar. I know it is eternal but I have not even begun to live. Without your gift I will never get to experience what life has to offer.” He started walking around the room at a somewhat lazy pace. “Life has been rough for you then and now as you are and yet you live and thrive with a positive attitude. I have never had that…….ever.” He clenched his fists to his chest. “And I want it so badly.”

Saldivar broke into a smile so big Van was taken aback. He had never seen Saldivar smile that way. It was a relief to see Saldivar pleased at his choice.

“Your life was in an impass
e
until I cam
e
to you. Not any more. I cannot tell you the pleasure I feel in hearing that this is your choice.” Saldivar hugged Van in a fatherly embrace. “It is a wise decision, Van. You will not be sorry of your outcome. There will be no regrets. You are going
to have a wonderful eternity,”
Saldivar vaticinated.

Saldivar’s excitement was contagious. It certainly had to be better than what Van was doing and how he was living now. A healthy life was the most important thing to Va
n. He had to face the facts. One: he was dying. Two: he had no life. Three: no family. Four: no home. Five:
no friends. Did he want to live the few moments he had left like this?

Saldivar had class, a gorgeous home, health, wealth, women, eternity and he hoped in him……a kindred spirit? He wanted what Saldivar could give him. He did not want to take it. He wanted to earn it. He did have some dignity left in him yet. The people that threw coins at him on the streets may have made a joke of his predicamen
t but at least he had a soul and a
heart that beats with feeling.

That was the one thing Van feared most about changing. Would his heart become as cold and as lifeless as some of them?

“You know better than to
think of such ghastly things,”
admonished Saldivar. “You have a kind heart now and it will not change once you are transformed. It will be enhanced. You will feel things much deeper. You have a great sp
irit. That will never waver,”
he predicted.

“If feelings are enhanced, what becomes of the ones with evil dispositions? Does the evil possess them even more so then?” Van wondered.

“Unfortunately, it does. I wished it was not so but I cannot change what was there while they were still human. If you are born to evil then there will be an increase of said evil when the change takes place. There are rogue vampires out there, I will not lie. But that is true of every person, human or not. There is alway
s a weed amongst the flowers; a
thorn on ev
ery rose. It is unavoidable,”
Saldivar lectured. “The only thing you can do is worry about your life and how to live positively with what you have or will get.”

Van was struck by Saldivar’s philosophy. Given his age, he could imagine he had seen just about every type of person in the world. Saldivar was a mentor.
His
mentor.
Actually, more like the father he really never had.

“Yes, life will be richer. But I must warn you, do not think it
will be perfect. Despite what others say, life is not better on the other side. Good and bad.
New and old.
But the important thing is, is that yo
u will be alive to see it all,”
Saldivar said with delight in his amber eyes.

Van nodded then moved to the window. “I know life can never be perfect. But I feel it will be greatly augmented. It has to be.” Van firmly believed things will change for the better. He had a choice now. He did not have to beg for money or food any more. He did not have to walk miles just to find a safe place to sleep. Yes, he made the right decision. He could not turn back now.

Van braved a cleansing breath and spoke evenly and irrefutably. “My answer is as clear as the evening sky. My life is now placed in you hands.”

Saldivar nodded once and smiled.

*

At first the pain brought tears to Van’s eyes. No, it was not an excruciating type of pain but an unearthly sensation. Van had vetoed the idea of standing up for fear of falling to the floor at the sheer thought of what was really going on. He opted to sit on a small, armless chair. The headrest was soft and rounded so his head could fall back naturally while supporting the curve in his neck.

Saldivar had explained to him what to expect but nothing could prepare Van for that first feeling of sharp teeth against the soft flesh of his neck. He could actually feel the puncture. His ea
rs were alerted to the
‘pop’ of
skin as Saldivar bit down.

At once, Van felt he would panic. Did he make a mistake? Would Saldivar drain him dry? Was Saldivar the only escapee from the asylum and drinking blood was a way of ecstasy for him? He did seem to know about the reputation of the asylum. So,
was
it something sexual for him?

And why on God’s green earth did Van start thinking of these issues now? It was too late for thought now. Besides, Saldivar had been nothing but nice to him. He had no reason to believe otherwise.

Perhaps Van was just a bit disquieted. Van closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, hoping that it would calm his frazzled nerves. It would be over soon. A few moments later, Van managed to settle himself.

When Saldivar lifted his head, signaling he was finished, Van realized it was not as bad as he presumed it would be. But it was only half over. Van could feel his stomach churn. He had to swallow hard several times in quick succession.
His throat spasmed at the sight of blood oozing from Saldivar’s neck.

Saldivar licked the blood from his lips. “It is too late to turn back, Van. If you do not partake of my blood now, you will die in a matter of minutes from what I took of you.”

Van managed a meek nod and closed his mouth over Saldivar’s wound when he was presented with it. He drank, hesitantly at first. The second sip
stunned him. It felt like millions of tiny
spar
ks running through his veins. He felt p
ower coursing through his blood. It was so sublime. A euphoric mood he had never before e
ncountered. He felt………alive, b
rimming with unknown enjoyment.

The hunger?
He briefly remembered of a beastly hunger he could never squelch.
This blood.
This wondrous, life-giving blood.
The beast was now mollified. In so many long and relentless years of suffering, the hunger ceased.

Miracle of miracles, it was gone! Van was awash with relief. A few more sips and Saldivar pulled away with his hand to his neck and collapsed on the nearest chair.

Saldivar needed a few minutes of rest to rebuild his strength before speaking. He spoke a little weakly at first but his voice grew stronger with each passing second. “You will no longer beg for anything. No longer will you live in squalor and uncertainty. The whole world is yours now. I will help you explore it with new eyes. As I have said, I will help you through your journey until you can walk it alone. Then I will take my leave.”

Van’s eyes dilated in alarm. He wanted to speak but was still too frail from rebirth but Saldivar held out his hand and shook his head. “Do not worry. I will not abandon you. I will not leave you incapable and unsafe.”

Relief softened Van’s face. He nodded his understanding.

Saldivar continued: “Never again will you be vulnerable. Never again will passers-by stop and make snide remarks or belittle you. The old Van you once knew is dead and gone.” Saldivar removed his hand from his neck. The wound was almost healed. “Come. I have much to teach you, neophyte. That is the name much older vampires, including myself, will refer to you as. You are but a child. Now, you must learn.
”

Van followed Saldivar to the front door. Here was the threshold he must cross to the beginning of a new life.
A much better life.

The door opened and Van went with Saldivar into a world with a new path to lead.

Van’s journey was just beginning.