Shattered (12 page)

He sat back, staring into the distance. Laura realized she hadn’t seen him sleep once over the past number of days. She asked him about it.

“Normal y,” he disclosed, “after a regular feeding, the urge to sleep goes away. You stay up for maybe a day or two, sometimes more. It feels a bit like you’re stimmed out, but… more serene. It’s hard to explain unless you experience it.”

“But it’s been longer than that,” Laura said. And yawned unintentional y.

“I know. Ever since I tasted vampire blood… I’ve felt different. Not even stimmed out, just… calm. Haven’t felt the need to sleep, yet. I feel like I’ve woken up from a very long nap.”

“Ok.” Laura yawned again. The day had gotten to her.

She turned to her side, and quickly fel into a deep sleep.

-“Wake up,” Logan whispered, shaking her awake. Laura looked up. The light from al but one torch had been extinguished, creating a cover of darkness. She could see Logan kneeling beside her. He looked alert. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel… a presence.”

Laura sat up groggily. “What do you mean, a—”

Suddenly something flew at her. A large shadow. She screamed, but before the sound was out of her throat, Logan pounced in the way. Next thing she knew, Logan was on the floor, tussling with someone else. A man. Unclothed except for a ragged loincloth. He looked ancient, but he was strong. He had Logan under him, and clawed at his face, but Logan threw him off just in time. Before the man had a chance to recover, Logan was on him, pinning his arms and legs to the ground. They struggled for a bit, but Logan had him caught.

“Who are you?” Logan demanded.

“I should ask the same of you,” a raspy voice answered. The man did not fight Logan’s grip anymore. “Enough of this struggle. I see you’ve brought a treat.” His eyes focused unnervingly on Laura. Her eyes widened. He was a vampire.

If it was possible, Logan strengthened his grip.

“She is
not
a treat,” he said harshly.

“What?” The man – vampire – seemed genuinely

shocked. “You… protect this human?”

“Yes.”

He sneered in response. “So be it. Let go of me, I won’t harm her.” Logan didn’t move. “Do you take me for a liar? I live and die by my word. If she is yours, I wil not touch her.” After a moment’s pause, Logan relented. Slightly.

“Who are you,” Logan asked again.

“I wil answer your questions, friend, if you first answer mine. What brings you here, to disturb me in my place of peace?”

Logan paused, and then spoke. “I am Logan, and my companion is Laura. We came to these dungeons seeking respite, but now search for a way out.”

“A way out?” The vampire snorted. “My child, you have been going the wrong way if you are searching for a way out.”

“What do you mean,” Logan asked slowly.

“The way out lies at the black and white towers. For those who enter, it is the only way.”

“The towers outside this place…” Logan said to himself. Then he rounded on the man. “You lie. There is fresh air along the paths the way we are going.”

The man laughed bitterly. “You don’t know where you are, do you? Of course not. You are much too young.” Then his tone shifted considerably. “Get off me. I mean as I say, I wil not harm her.” Cautiously, Logan backed off. And placed himself between the ancient vampire and Laura.

The man rose to his feet, and regarded Logan openly. He did not spare another look for Laura.

“What I say is the truth. You wil find no entrance to this place other than by which you came. And you are not deceived – it is in fact fresh air you smel along the paths. But it comes from a gap in the ceiling high above. You wil find no exit there.”

“The way back is blocked,” Logan said defiantly.

“Oh? Then you are doomed to roam these tunnels for eternity.”

“Who are you?” Logan asked again.

“Ah. Yes. You may cal me Rafael.” He nodded to himself. “It has been a long time since I have heard anyone use that name. You are welcome to use it, brother. I have not seen another of our kind for some time.”

“How long have you been down here?” Logan asked. Laura thought it might have been centuries upon centuries.

Rafael spread his hands grandly. “I am a recluse, and have been so my whole life. But in this place?

Perhaps since I was as old as you.”

Laura gawked. She didn’t know it was possible for vampires to age, but this Rafael looked absolutely
ancient
. And if he claimed to have been here since he was Logan’s age, and Logan had been alive for over four hundred years… her head spun. It was a length of time that was unfathomable.

“I see you, little human.” He moved his head to look around Logan at Laura. “You are the one who has been in my dreams.”

Rafael took a step forward, and Logan snarled.

“Stay back,” he warned.

Rafael spread his arms again. “You intrude on my space, demand answers to questions you should not ask, and now you threaten me again? I have told you, I am of no danger to your human. But I know of others who may be.”

“Who?” Laura blurted out.

“Ah, so the child speaks,” Rafael chuckled. He addressed Logan again. “I suspected it was you when I first saw you outside, examining the towers. But hearing her voice confirms it.” Laura frowned. She didn’t like being ignored.

“You saw us outside?” Logan sounded stupefied.

“I would have felt your presence had you been there.”

Rafael smiled. “You have things to learn, stil , young brother. Not everything is quite as it appears.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean what I say, quite simply. Had I so desired, I could have snatched the girl from you before you had a chance to blink. That is what those who cal themselves the elders would have wanted, anyway.

“As for your question,
Laura
—” he emphasized her name as if believing it to be false “—those of danger to you are the ones who chase you. But you already know this. What you may not know is the scope of the threat. Our elders have placed quite a high reward on your capture. And yours too,” he addressed Logan,

“kin-slayer.”

“What did you cal me?”

Rafael shrugged. “Do you not have the blood of vampires on your hands? Or, perhaps more accurately, the blood of a vampire running through your veins? We are al a family, bound by a bond deeper than that of siblings. And you have kil ed two, have you not?”

“If you know al this,” Logan said harshly, “why have you not acted? What I have done is an abomination of our creed. No vampire alive would look upon me without planning my death.”

“No vampire you know of, perhaps,” Rafael replied,

“but I doubt you knew of me before today.” He took another step forward, and this time Logan didn’t protest. “Ah. I am free to walk in my own home?

Yes.” He started pacing in a circle, around both Logan and Laura. “The
Vassiz
have not kil ed one another for hundreds of years, Logan. Not since the rise of the elders has there been bloodshed amongst our kind. You change this, I know it. I believe your friend Laura knows it too. But why has this happened? Why have you broken the peace?

“Is it for the girl? As much as I would believe in happy endings, that is much too simple explanation for what has happened. And what has happened to you in the past week alone might rattle our kind right to the essence of our very core. But… I am simply an impartial observer. The politics of the elder councils do not intrigue me. I much prefer my quiet. Perhaps that answers your question. I do not look to get involved in the happenings of the upper world. Kil ing you, abducting your friend… it would draw too much attention to myself. That is why I pose no threat to you.”

“How can I trust you?” Logan asked.

Rafael laughed again. “Oh, but you already do. From the moment you released your grip, you have ceded your trust in me.” And before Logan could even react, Rafael was at Laura’s side, holding a fistful of her hair and tracing a fingernail along her neck. Before Laura could form a scream, Logan roared, and charged at him, but Rafael moved impossibly fast, coming to the spot where Logan was before. He laughed.

“You see? You do not know a tenth of the power your body possesses. I have lived long years, and have learned many secrets. But I am of my word; I did her no harm.”

Logan looked down at Laura with worry plain on his face. She met his eyes and nodded. “He didn’t hurt me.” She shivered as she remembered his touch, though.

“You wil not do that again,” Logan growled.

Rafael laughed again. “Or what? You’l catch me with your quick foot speed? Hah! You move so slow it’s like you’re running in quicksand.” He was taunting Logan; taunting both of them. “You have no choice but to trust me. You are in my domain.”

Logan looked at Laura. And sighed dejectedly.

“What he says is true. I do not like to admit it, but…

he is truthful y faster than me.”

“Boy, I am not only faster, but stronger, and more intel igent, too. I have seen more in my years in this cave than you have your whole life. But hear this: if you and your girl behave yourselves, I may be wil ing to help you.”

“Help us?” Laura spoke this time. “Help us how?”

“…you let her speak freely,” Rafael said to himself,

“it is not like the old days…” Then he turned his attention back to them. “If you listen wel , heed what I say, you may yet get out of this cavern alive. But you have to put your absolute faith in me.”

“Why would we do that?” Logan spat. “You have done nothing but taunt us with your riddles and mixed words. What benefit is it to you, if we survive or not?”

“Son, you have much to learn yet. Seek the truth behind my words, and you wil understand everything. What I say… it is of no consequence.” He waved a hand dismissively. “But what I mean –
that
is important.”

“And what do you mean, Rafael? Why seek us out and engage in conversation if you could have skewered us both like pigs?”

“Perhaps I grow lonely,” Rafael said, “or, more likely, perhaps I do not appreciate my dreams being interrupted by these so-cal ed
elders
.” He scoffed.

“They are generations younger than me.”

This time, it was Logan’s turn to gawk. “They are
younger
than you? But the elders are supposed to be the oldest of al the
Vassiz
. That is how they ascend to the council.”

Rafael laughed again. “Do not be foolish, boy. Your pride blinds you to the truth. Al your life, you have lived in fear of the elders, obeying their commands and abiding by their laws. Is this not true?” Logan gritted his teeth, but nodded. Reluctantly. “You were told it is how things have always been, and that without the elders there is only chaos and disorder. How our race would not survive without their guidance. Were you not?” Again, Logan nodded. And his jaw clenched a little bit more. “Not many have dared to defy them, but you have. And this girl… Laura… she wil have a part to play yet. No, I believe your story is far from finished. In fact, I think it’s just begun.”

“What you’re saying… about the elders… it is blasphemy.”

“Do you think I am afraid of the elders? Or their little puppets? There are few things that scare me, boy, and the elders are not one of them.” Rafael’s tone shifted, and it became denser. More ominous.

“But for now, you should be afraid. For the elders have visited my dreams, and the dreams of every other living vampire. Whole packs are coming after you, boy, and your darling friend. Packs of vampires enraged by the desecration of your crimes. They wil be here soon.”

“Here?” Logan thundered. “You told them we were here! You lied to us!”

“No, I did not lie, nor did I give them any information. But I am guessing the untimely death of one of your pursuers tipped them off. Listen. They are coming.”

A silence came upon the enclosure. Laura strained her ears. She could hear nothing. She waited, holding her breath. Everything was silent. And then she heard… a distant thud. And then… another one. It was a rhythmic vibration. Low, and nearly inaudible. The thudding quickened, coming from the direction they had come from. Yes. She wasn’t imagining things. She could hear it.

“They have broken in!” Logan exclaimed. “Through the blocked entrance!”

“Yes. They’re coming after you.” Rafael smiled.

“Your only chance lies with me.”

~The Pursuit~

They ran. Hard.

Laura gripped Logan’s chest with al her strength. She was on his back, clinging for dear life. Logan was fol owing Rafael, who was urging them on. Vampires were fast, Laura knew, but Rafael was even faster.

They stormed down into pure darkness. Laura couldn’t see past the black, but stil her eyes were open wide, stil straining to see. Her hair blew backwards as Logan ran on, and she struggled to catch breath against the wind in her face.

She could hear the vibrations behind them. They were getting louder. Whatever was making them was getting closer.

“Quickly, quickly!” Rafael yel ed. Logan doubled his speed.

They sped through long corridors, down twisting tunnels, and into long paths. Laura gasped, trying to gulp down the air that streamed by her, but it was very difficult.

Suddenly the path they were on widened, and unfolded into an open space. The moon’s rays streamed in from a hol ow in the distant ceiling, al owing Laura to see her surroundings. They ran on a single path that jutted out from the rock. A long, dark abyss lay on either side of them. One wrong move, one misstep, and they’d be hurtling down. But Logan was steadfast, and kept on undeterred at the same speed as before.

Ahead of them, Laura realized with alarm, was a large gap in the path. A place where the ancient rock had long since fal en away. She watched, stunned, as Rafael raced towards it and leapt into the air. He rose, higher than she would have ever thought possible, and landed deftly on the other side.

“Faster!” he yel ed from the other side. “Go faster!”

For a second, Logan faltered, but quickly regained his step. Laura realized with horror that they would have to jump the gap as wel .

Logan ran towards it, and sprang into the air. For a split second, Laura felt weightless – a feather rising on a cool wind. And then they started to go down. They were fal ing, down towards the other end. But they were coming short.

Laura screamed, and buried her head against Logan’s back while locking her fingers tighter. They slammed the edge hard, and the impact broke her grip. She lost her hold, and was knocked off Logan. She was fal ing.

Desperately, she grabbed at something, anything. Anything that might save her. Her hand caught cloth, and she jerked to a stop, nearly dislocating her shoulder from the impact.

For half a second, she just dangled there, amazed that she caught on. Then she looked up, and realized she had hold of Logan’s leg. His foot, more precisely. Her heart was beating out of her chest. She didn’t dare look down.

Summoning al her strength, she reached up with her other hand, securing it around his calf. But her arms were exhausted, and she nearly lost the hold again. She felt Logan move, and looked up to see him also hanging halfway off the cliff’s edge. He was struggling to get up.

Suddenly Rafael appeared above them. “Hold on,”

he told her, and grabbed Logan’s arm to pul him up. Logan grunted as his bare torso scraped over the hard rock. Laura held on for dear life. Then Rafael’s hand came over the edge, gripping her forearm, and pul ed her up.

She col apsed onto the icy rock floor. She was breathing hard. Her head spun from the adrenaline she felt. She peeked up, back the way they came –

and saw her pursuers for the first time.

They were stil in the distance, just now entering the open cavern, but they were gaining fast. A horde of vampires at least fifty deep moved in unison towards her like a giant wave. The moonlight reflected sharply off their skin; they were a pale army in the night.

“Come on!” Rafael roared, and Laura felt herself being picked up. Logan was carrying her. They headed to the end of the path, where a wide opening led deeper into darkness. As soon as they were through, Rafael activated a mechanism, and a giant boulder slammed down behind them, locking them in. There was no light for Laura to see.

Logan could see, though. “What is this?” he demanded angrily. “You have brought us to a dead end! There is no exit!” Laura felt his body quiver with rage.

There came no reply. Laura heard shuffling, and then the agonizing sound of rock scraping against rock.

“Help me,” Rafael said gruffly. Logan put Laura down. She felt him move away from her, towards Rafael’s voice. She couldn’t see what they were doing, but the scarping grew louder, momentarily. Then Laura felt a gust of wind across her face.

“A way out,” Rafael said. As the words left his mouth, a thunderous crash sounded against the boulder. The vampires were already on the other side

– and they were trying to break down the entrance!

Another crash, and Laura saw thin beams of light stream in around the edges. They were destroying the border!

“They’re here,” Rafael said stiffly. “You go. I wil stay, to buy you time.”

“They wil overwhelm you!” Logan exclaimed.

“Boy, I have more tricks up my sleeve than you may believe.” Another thunderous crash, and the whole cave they were in trembled. “Go now! You wil find an enormous maze. There is only one way out. Take the crossings left, left, right. Every time. Miss but one and your path wil lead deeper into the ground, and there wil be no escape. Hurry!” Another crash, another massive vibration. “They wil break in soon. The barricade won’t keep for long. GO!”

Laura felt herself being picked up again, then felt the wind against her skin. They had left Rafael behind. The last sound Laura heard was that agonizing scrape of rock against rock.

They ran. Logan ran for his life; for both their lives. They ran down curving pathways with hard angles. Left, left, right. They ran ahead, far ahead. Left, left, right. The sounds behind them lessened. Their pursuers were being left behind. Left, left, right. Logan ran for everything he had, and Laura clung onto his back with a grip she would never release. Left, left, right. She couldn’t see anything in the dark, but she trusted Logan. Left, left, right. She could feel his heart beating against her chest. Left, left, right. On and on they ran, until the sounds in the distance became an inaudible hum, and then disappeared altogether. Only then did Logan slow pace.

“I think,” he said final y, “that we got away.” A flood of relief greater than anything Laura had experienced before came over her.

“We’re safe?”

“I think so.” He set her down and took her hand.

“Come, we should be out of this labyrinth soon.”

Laura fol owed him – and gripped his hand tightly. She couldn’t help but smile. She hoped he wouldn’t notice.

Logan led her straight down the path, then turned left. They walked further, and took another left turn. Further stil , for a stretch of time that seemed to last hours, and final y took a right – and Laura walked right into Logan’s back.

“No…” he stammered. “No, no, no, no!”

“What is it?” Laura asked cautiously. She couldn’t see anything in the dark.

Logan started breathing heavily, like a cornered animal. With no word, he picked her up again and ran down the path, until Laura saw a dim, distant light source far away. As they got closer, Laura realize they had come to an enclosure.

A single ray of light streamed into the middle of the circular room. A round rock slab stood at the center, and the light shone onto it. There were symbols carved on it, the same as the ones outside, in both scripts, and they gleamed in a bril iant turquoise against the light. Laura looked around her. The wal s were smooth glass rock, the same as the wal underneath the entrance to this entire dungeon had been. And the light shone from a long, narrow chamber that was cut into the rock above them.

Laura looked around again, growing alarmed. The wal s were smooth; there were no cuts or partitions in them. The only way out of this chamber was… the way they had come.

“A dead end,” Logan said slowly.

“What? No!” It couldn’t be. Not after everything they’d gone through. Not after everything they’d done. Everything he’d done. For her.

“I must… have missed a turn,” he said. And he slammed his fist against the wal , hard enough that Laura winced. “Dammit!” he roared in anger.

“We… we can go back,” Laura said. “We can retrace our steps.”

“No.” Logan shook his head sadly. “You might not hear them coming, but I do. If we go back, there is only death.”