Blood Life (38 page)

It was then, with all the signs complete, that Alethea knew her purpose as a vampire. She was able to comprehend the reason her protection was so important all that time, and why Alexandria needed to die the way that she did. Alethea knew why her soul returned when it did. Fate had not been misguided, only miscalculated in tiny, insignificant cracks of history. All had gone according to plan, and Lokee had not the power to change any of it—Alethea did. Not only was she once killed under Lokee’s vengeful hand, but she also possessed the ability, from that experience, needed to bear his child. Lokee was condemned, as a vampire; Alethea was revered.

Lokee’s wicked deeds were imperative to accomplish Lillith’s rebirth. For the blood of the Father, Silas, lived deep within his veins.

Alethea, fully recovered, picked up the child to hold against her breasts. Through her, visions of the notorious Silas confirmed her thoughts. He was Lillith’s lover in mortal life. Upon creating Her, Silas had ceased to recognize Her great sorcery. Lillith was a very powerful witch, who had already rendered Herself immortal by use of magic. By use of Grey Magic, used only by the most powerful witches of Her time. Grey was a dangerous line to dangle on, and in the wrong hands, could prove to be devastating.

Silas had not taken Lillith’s ability with Grey Magic into account; He had been unable to see inside of Her either. Lillith, being as rambunctious as She was in life, failed to inform him of the dangers, and so it was. Silas loved her so desperately; He wanted Her to be of His blood. With ignorance of Her subtle warnings, He proceeded to make Her a vampire. In the process, while He drank of Her already tainted blood, it became spoiled. The Grey Magic of immortality and the vampire blood did not mix any better than oil and water for Him. The mixture was entirely incompatible, and She had known it, but failed to convince Him. He would not listen and was destroyed before they could live out their eternity together. Although He returned not long after His demise, She would not acknowledge Him, blaming Him for abandoning Her.

Alethea realized she was spinning. Thoughts invaded her mind with enormous passion as she continued to receive information through the baby she hugged against her chest. The child was not only enigmatic—She was All, brightening Alethea’s soul with Her essence. Her story was being shared with Alethea for a purpose. She kept thinking: Her baby was the Mother Goddess incarnate. She was Lillith!

In her glory and satisfaction, Alethea merely grinned up at Death, who still sat, waiting at the window, with a look of contempt. He slowly began to dissolve in understanding of Alethea’s strength and will to live, the will she had lost several times throughout the journey. She had become stronger than Death with her newfound potency. She could conquer his expectations. Lillith had saved her by channeling energy into one powerful cord and shooting it straight into Alethea’s body. Alethea saved Lillith by sacrificing herself, unknowingly, and giving in to Lokee’s advances. Because of Alethea, Her soul would finally be permitted to again walk the Earth among the mortals, the witches, and the vampires.

Through Alethea, She has chosen to live; through Her, the Combined shall survive.