Bitter Sweet (21 page)

              "I kind of understand that. So what about the gathering itself? You said one of the reasons for fighting was religion. I have never heard of Aaliyah until you told me that story. Wouldn't it be a bad idea to have those against her existence to be there?"

              "If you told a young vampire that name, they would think you were talking about the singer. If you mentioned Aaliyah to an older vampire, they would merely think that story the Elders tell. Finally, to those who are devoted to the Elders, Aaliyah is merely a historical figure they devote themselves to as she is a stronger power than the Elders, like a lost coven leader. When I said vampire had a pseudo-religion, I merely meant that there is a being that we all supposedly originated from, very much like God to the Christians. To be given purpose as a member of Aaliyah's demonic army meant being on standby for her return to rule God and the humans. We control the

human race even if they do not know it in not only wealth, but political strength, and even editing of holy books to suit the desires of those who still buy stock into those religions even in this existence. Most wars between humans are run and profited off of by vampire, exploiting their need to believe or own something. Aaliyah is just a name, an a unprofitable name at that. Very few vampire see it worth their existence to start a problem that would reach the Elders concerning the existence of another vampire, let alone in front of them at their own gathering, which has changed from a legitimate service to a more political posturing to see who is and isn’t in control all at once.”

              He explained more about vampiric culture and history, and the motivations behind major events in recent and distant past human conflicts and discoveries. My attention was his, but I kept thinking about what he had said, “very few vampire see it worth their existence to start a problem that would reach the Elders concerning the existence of another vampire”. He had done that very thing to save my life even though he had so many other options he could have taken.

              Once we got to Africa, it took another three hours on a personal plane, a boat, and two cars before we reached the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. As we approached, I saw the building slowly emerging out of the horizon. It was a sleek and modern resort in what had to be one of the most beautiful middle-of-nowheres in the world. The resort was about two stories tall; black glass lined with polished steel snaking its way around the building’s footprint. The angles of the walls gave a beautiful reflection of the surrounding area and I could see our reflection as we approached in the walls. Once inside, the lobby stunned me with its beauty and simplicity. Its floors were a white stone, but it looked tiled as some areas of stone were polished and others not. The walls were a mix of frosted, tinted, and clear glass, all lit by white light. The receptionist stood behind a black stone and glass desk with chairs and tables spotted neatly around it. She smiled as Alik told her who he was and she handed him a key card. We dropped our things off at the room, but didn’t bother to unpack. The rooms were massive; again, making liberal use of glass, stone, and aluminum. Alik had me change into swimwear and we headed to the pool. From the outside of the building I couldn't decide what it was shaped like, but as I walked around in the interior, I decided that it was shaped like a large collection of Tetris tiles, except in the center, were there was a large

indoor pool under a retractable roof. It was completely different in this room; the metal was changed to unfinished wood and the pool was lined in a white sandy tile with a course stone lining the pool’s edge. Sand, stone, and earth lining the walls of the room, where the sunlight came in from the roof, plants and vines flourished as they crawled along the walls.

              "Alik love, you’ve made it," came a voice I recognized. Memories of her smile as I lay dying surfaced, fuzzy and unclear in my mind. I shuttered slightly. A small girl in a pink one piece swimsuit had her arms around Alik’s waist, hugging him.

              "Alisa, please let me go," Alik said calmly, peeling her from himself.

              "Oh, you’re no fun," she complained, standing back and then looking me up and down. "So you’re still playing with this human?  When will you realize that a vampire is the only one for you?"

              "When vampire like you no longer exist," he stated with a grin.

              Alisa stormed away at this comment and went to sit next to some guy who began to rub her shoulders. We walked around the pool to where Lilith lay in a black bikini, her hair glistening in the sun. She leaned her head over and I saw my reflection approach in her oversized sunglasses. She raised her stunning purple eyes to bore into me.

              "Vanessa dear, you and Alik have made it," she said, delighted.

              "Hello, Lilith," I greeted.

              "Have a seat, Vanessa; Alik, you go play with Alisa or something. Shoo," she hissed, pointing out the chair next to her and waving Alik away. Alik gave Lilith a cold look and then jumped in the pool. "This must be strange: vampire sitting around a pool sunbathing," she said in a smile.

              "That thought had crossed my mind, I must admit."

              "Do you like the place? We had it built just for this occasion."

              "It’s very nice; I like the modern take on an old Japanese style, with the connecting gardens and covered walk paths connecting the buildings. That’s what I'm assuming this is."

              "You noticed that, did you? Alik told me you chose Architecture as a major in college. If only you had found him two years ago you could have done the major design outlines” She then sat up and turned to me, all serious. “You never called me after I explicitly asked you to," she said sadly with a pout that made her look like a little girl.

              "I’m sorry, it’s just that a lot has been going on with school and I’ve been a bit lost in my own thoughts also."

              "I know the feeling dear, believe me. A few millennia of thoughts are a lot to sift through. I do miss forgetfulness at times.” She grinned, her pout vanishing. “You know, you make him happy. Even if you didn’t choose him, as long as you included him in your life, he would have been happy."

              "He told you about Phil as well?"

              "No, June did."

              "I wouldn’t have expected that.”

              “She is very protective of her brother; she thought it would help."

              “Is she here by the way?"

              "Yes, she’s in the rock garden with Ayara. Ayara shares June’s skill with a blade and they are sparring or meditating, I don’t know which. It sounds dangerous however, you should be able to hear them if you listen."

              "Do many vampires use weapons to fight?" I asked as I heard the low clank of metal on metal.

              "No, very few vampire even know how to really fight. The young usually run on instincts and are easily dispatched. June’s, and especially Alik's, ability to fight is rare. Even for vampire, it takes time

to train skills like that," she stated, laying back down. "Most of our kind prefer to wow women with piano, or men with sex appeal. Both easy to fake being good at."

              "Can I ask another question?"

              "Sure."

              "Who is Alisa? She is always trying to... touch Alik."

              "Do I hear jealousy in this question?" asked Lilith while looking over at me.

              "It’s just that all the female vampires I’ve met like you, June, and Alisa are all beautiful to the point of perfection. You and June have both told me that I make Alik happy. I’m curious as to why it is me out of all the years that he has been alive; why is it that he loves me so much?"

              "Well, to answer your first question, little Alisa is a bit of a mystery. No one knows who her creator was. We keep her around because she is a brilliant tactician. She was created so young that no matter how well she is in a military capacity or how much she matures mentally, she will always be stuck as childish and playful. She will never become a woman, but I think how she sees Alik gives her hope: that maybe he can do something for her, at least mentally, to make her feel like a woman. Especially considering her age and power. As to your other question, I have to ask you one in return. What do you consider to be love?”

              “When you would do anything for someone, even cross paths with death so that their happiness and well being are completely absolute. Because when you are with them, there isn’t anyone else you could imagine being with.” When I said that I wasn't sure why it came out that way, but I meant it.

              “Poetic.” She smiled. “I couldn’t have described it better myself. Still, when I see you and Alik, I see chance and luck as well. Chance, because were you to have said no to your friend, you would have never been at Masteria, and luck for Alik as he was lucky enough to have taken a position at Masteria's door that night to greet you and your friend. Your poetic analogy finds its life in chance and luck just as

much as the connection you share.”

              “I know what you mean, and I thank my luck every time he looks at me. Because I know I don’t deserve him.”

              “It’s the other way around, considering what he is. To have found such a connection with a human and not one of his own is his gift. It allows you to build an even deeper connection with the sharing of the very blood that would keep you with him forever if you choose that path."

              “He told you about the truth thing?”       

              “No, I was talking of a deeper connection. Alik’s explanation of that phenomenon was probably misleading; don’t let it cloud your idea of love. Whatever you feel for my son is completely your own,” she said, watching Alik swim laps under water. “A word of warning though, Alisa isn’t the only vampire to openly show interest in Alik,” she whispered. “When the rest of our guests arrive, some will feel very sorry that he has a date this year." She then laughed.

              Over the rest of the day, the hotel gained only two more guests: a pair of African vampire who stayed in their room. I had a hard time falling asleep that night as usual, but with Alik here to comfort me, I eventually managed it and awoke to an amazing breakfast waiting for me. I ate and got dressed, but over the hour I was awake, Alik hadn’t returned to the room. I decided that I’d venture out and try to find him. I opened the door into the bright hallway with the sun shining brightly even through the tinted glass of the walls. The halls were empty and I walked for at least five minutes without finding anyone. I found myself outside in what must be the rock garden Lilith mentioned yesterday. Rocks were set in an ebony sand that sparkled silver and gold. There were five small trees, which reminded me of little banzai trees, scattered around the edges of the sand just big enough for a child to climb. A vampire I had never met sat silently on a rock in the middle of freshly smoothed sand with his eyes closed and legs crossed. I turned to leave, not wanting to disturb him, but bumped into him instead.

              "Ah, I’m so sorry," I said shocked.

              "You must be Vanessa," he said quickly, lifting a pair of circle

rimmed glasses and squinting at me.

              "Yes, that’s me."             

              "I thought so; I can smell him on you," he dragged out the words ‘smell’ and ‘him’ like it was disgusting.

              "Who?"

              "Alik."

              "Can I ask your name?" I was clutching at straws trying to keep the conversation pleasant.

              "I’m Ario. You must have heard of me by now."

              "I have." He looked pleased when I said that.

              "Well, you must be looking for him, aren’t you?"

              "Yes."

              "Well, aren’t you going to ask if I’ve seen him today?"