The Dark Gifts Birthright (12 page)

Liz stood still staring at the worn kitchen
door.

Michael moved to her placing a hand on her
arm. “What’s wrong?”

“There are people out there.”

One eyebrow rose. “And?”

She shook her head and shrugged.

“You’ll be fine. I’ll help you.”

Still worried, she managed a smile. “Of
course. It’s just…”

“Come on you guys. Let’s go.” Angie yelled
from the front of the house.

Liz sighed as Michael pulled her into his
embrace. The electric current between them still sent sparks up her
spine.

“You’ll be fine,” he whispered in her
ear.

“Guys! You’re burning darkness here.” Angie’s
excited voice called.

“We’re coming. Keep your fangs on.” Michael
laughed.

***

Michael drove them to the Rivermarket, a
quaint shopping district in the downtown area. As usual, it was
densely populated with party goers and drunken bar patrons
stumbling back and forth between the numerous pubs lining the
streets.

Liz’s eyes darted over the wandering humans.
Their heartbeats a constant echo in her head. Licking her lips, she
asked, “You sure this is okay?”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders
pulling her close. “It will be fine. Don’t worry.”

Maneuvering the girls down the sidewalk and
around the corner, they moved into a less populated area. Small
shops lined the street. Their lighted signs gave a nostalgic glow.
All at once, Liz felt as if she’d been transported back in time.
Halfway down the block a teenage girl stood behind a baby stroller
gazing into a window. Immediately, Liz felt the wave of emotion
rolling off the girl. Sadness. Desperation.

As if feeling Liz’s intrusion into her mind,
the girl’s head snapped in their direction. She swiped a tear from
her cheek and returned to staring through the window.

“Can I help you?” Liz asked as they drew
near. “Is something wrong?”

The girl’s dark hair shimmered under the
lights as she shook her head.

“You sure?”

Almost gushing, words poured from her mouth.
“It’s just that…well…prom is tomorrow. My dress is in there it’s
supposed to be ready. But I have to do the last fitting. I was
supposed to be here earlier. My mother volunteered me to babysit
and now I’m stuck, and I have to work tomorrow and they won’t be
open.”

Michael’s eyebrow rose. “I guess I’m missing
something. Can’t you take the baby inside?”

The girl pointed to a sign on the glass door.
It read: Due to recent thefts, no large bags, purses, or strollers
will be allowed in this establishment. Thank you. Management.

“Just take her in with you. We’ll watch the
stroller for you,” Angie volunteered.

The girl’s eyes grew wide. “Oh would you
really? That would be wonderful! It’ll only take just a few
minutes.”

Liz smiled. “Of course we can. We can’t have
you missing prom.”

The young girl bent over the stroller and
began to unbuckle the baby. Dressed in pink with tight blond curls
sprouting from her head, the infant grunted and issued a loud burp.
Sighing, it rolled to its side.

“Why don’t you just leave her there, hun.
You’ll move faster without her.” Liz said.

Momentarily unsure, the girl carefully looked
them over before shrugging and saying, “Thanks so much! I promise I
won’t be long.”

As the shop door closed behind her, Michael
hissed, “Have you lost your mind woman?”

“Smile and wave. She’s watching.” Liz
answered.

All three smiled brightly and waved at the
young girl.

“She looks nervous.” Angie said.

Michael moved to stand between Angie and the
stroller. “She should be nervous. Who in their right mind would
leave an infant with three strangers?”

“Three hungry strangers,” Angie
whispered.

Liz cast a sideways glance at Angie. The pain
of the thirst was prevalent on her face. Following Michael’s lead,
she inserted herself between Angie and the baby girl.

Glaring at both of them, Angie stepped back
two paces before muttering, “Oh good grief. I’m fine. It’s just the
smell. That baby smell is always hard on me.”

Without thinking, Liz took a deep breath and
was immediately assailed with the sweetest purest aroma she’d ever
encountered before. Akin to honeysuckle, yet the scent brought to
mind a fine New York strip. Her stomach turned, but her mouth began
to water. Hands shaking, she also stepped back. “That’s…it’s--”

“Shit.” Michael repositioned his body to
stand between the two girls and the stroller. “Get it under
control. Both of you. We don’t need a scene.”

Liz took several deep breaths in hopes of
calming the threatening thirst. Realizing too late that the long
gulps of air made it worse, she held her breath. Her body tingled
with anticipation. A dull burn rose in her throat. Closing her
eyes, she willed the darkness to settle. Gradually the thirst
subsided as she regained control. Her eyes sought Angie. Standing
primly with her hands folded, the girl shrugged. “I told you I’m
fine.”

Liz nodded and released her breath.

A loud wail echoed through the nearly silent
street as the infant woke.

The three traded glances. “What do we do?”
Liz said.

“Don’t look at me. I know nothing of
infants.” Michael answered.

Angie’s hands went out in front of her as she
took more steps back. “Me either.”

Liz gave out an exasperated sigh and moved
toward the stroller. “Holy crap. It’s just a baby.”

As she bent over to retrieve the squalling
infant, Michaels hand latched on to her arm. “Liz, be careful. Are
you sure you have it under control?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. I got this, don’t
worry.”

“Shhh. Don’t cry sweetheart. It’s all right.”
Liz crooned as she snuggled the small bundle to her chest.

The baby quieted, and within seconds, had
closed its eyes.

Chin resting against the cherub’s head, Liz
closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth emanating from the precious
package. Comfortable now and deep in sleep, the baby’s head lolled
to the side exposing her tiny neck. Liz’s eyes unconsciously moved
over the area that pulsated with every beat of her heart.

Once again her mouth watered. Desperate eyes
sought Michael’s. “Michael, I--”

And then it was too late. Almost of its own
accord, her head drew back. Her mouth opened exposing her fangs as
a hiss issued forth. Like magic, Liz found herself pinned against
the brick wall. Angie’s angry face came into view. Michael stood
several feet away holding the baby. “Get her out of here,” Michael
said through gritted teeth.

Angie gave him a curt nod, grabbed Liz’s arm
in a vice-like grip, and pulled her down the sidewalk into a nearby
alley.

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to. I
didn’t mean to.” Liz stuttered.

“Of course you didn’t. You couldn’t help it.
That’s why we have to be certain--”

A drunken mumble interrupted her. Their eyes
were instantly drawn to a large cardboard box. Grinning, Angie
said, “Stay right there.” Moving with the speed only a vampire
could manage; Angie went to the box and returned with a disheveled,
filthy man in tow.

Liz’s mouth fell open.

Eyeing her friend to be certain she was
listening, Angie said, “Now watch. This is how it’s done. And these
are your prey. They don’t taste as good as others, but their minds
are easily manipulated.”

Liz shook her head. “No! I don’t want—“

Angie released the vagabond and he dropped to
the ground. “You don’t want to what? Eat him? He’s their trash.
They
threw him away. You were about to eat a darling little
infant a few seconds ago, and now all of sudden you have a guilty
conscience? You’re not going to kill him. You’re going to
feed.”

Once again Liz shook her head. This time she
pointedly looked down the alley and away from Angie and the unknown
man.

Angie shrugged. “Have it your way.” Grabbing
the man by the lapels of his tattered coat, she raised him to a
standing position and gazed into his eyes. “Stand. You are no
longer drunk.”

The man stood straight and tall. Fear glazed
his eyes as he stared at the blond vampire.

“Tut, tut. None of that. There’s nothing to
be afraid of.”

His eyes cleared and he smiled.

Angie held out her hand and ordered,
“Arm.”

He placed his arm in her waiting hand.

Repulsed but unable to look away, Liz watched
as her friend bit into his wrist. Her mouth watered as the distinct
sound of gulping reached her ears. The still air in the alley
filled with the scent of bitter and iron causing her to swallow
hard.

Angie raised her head. Red covered her lips
and dripped down her chin as she smiled. “You sure? He’s not that
bad.”

Before she could stop herself, Liz’s mouth
locked onto the gaping wound. Sweet nectar flooded down her
throat.

***

The Eldest would not listen to Gregorio’s
pleas to build their own vampire army. Unwilling to comply with his
master’s orders, he delegated the task to Michael. The process of
building the vampire army began.

They had no idea where to start. With so many
renegades hiding in plain sight, every friend was a potential foe.
Michael and Liz were sitting at the table discussing what to do
next, when Angie approached.

“William has an idea.”

Michael looked up. “Angie we covered
everything. I don’t see what else the ghost can do besides what he
is already doing.”

“Fine, forget it.” She flipped around sending
her blond hair fanning behind her.

Liz’s eyebrows knitted together as she jabbed
Michael in the side with her index finger. “William has been a
blessing. The least we can do is listen.”

Michael shrugged and began to respond, when
he noticed the angry glare Liz was giving him. “Fine. Go get
her.”

Giving him one final glare, Liz stood up and
went after the young girl. She returned to the
kitchen with Angie reluctantly in tow.

“Have a seat.”

Angie pulled out a chair and plopped down.
Arms folded across her chest, she scathingly said, “What?”

“I might have been a bit too short with you.
Tell me William’s idea.”

Sighing, she uncrossed her arms and placed
her hands on the edge of the table. “William can see the essence of
a being.”

Liz shot a look at Michael. “What does that
mean?”

The young girl gaped at Liz as if she was
simple-minded. “The essence. Whether they are good or evil.”

“I thought we didn’t have souls?” Liz
asked.

Michael blinked and leaned forward, ignoring
Liz‘s question. “He can see their hearts?”

“Precisely. Well not so precise as close. He
can see their true intentions. Most of them anyhow. Some are harder
to read. It depends on how strong they are and how long they’ve
been a vampire.” Angie smiled smugly as she leaned back and rested
her legs on the table.

Michael’s lips slowly stretched into a smile.
“Well, well. This does change things a bit, now doesn’t it?”

With William’s help, Michael devised a new
plan.

Knowing that they were already in an area
that seemed overly populated with vampires, Michael sent William to
find other spirits that were dwelling in the area of the nearest
covens. The easiest way to discover the nature of a clan was to
find those that had their own ghosts. William could discuss the
clan’s motivations with those of his kind, before bothering to
evaluate the nest itself. This was a time saver, but it also had
flaws. Most times, William would return with very little
information. It was difficult for him to find other spirits who
wanted to get involved in the affairs of vampires or men. After
several days of trying, they caught a lucky break.

William returned telling Michael that the
particular nest of vampires he’d infiltrated, had their own
ghosts.

“You’re positive these other spirits can be
trusted?” Michael asked.

“Ain’t no doubt, Mike. This man lost his wife
and two kids from the pox. They been with him ever since. Seems
like an awfully good woman to me. Doubt she’d stick around with the
young’uns for a man what ain’t worth it.”

“Don’t take this wrong, but there have been
several women who stayed with monstrous men.” Michael walked to the
kitchen sink, turned the water on and watched it run.

“Look here. I heard them talking. You know
how people will talk when they think nary a soul’s listening. They
don’t take with this business with the Council. They don’t take to
it at all. If I were a bettin’ man, I’d put money on this gamble.”
William shuffled his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets.

Michael filled a jug with water and sat it on
the side of the sink. Liz had insisted on buying houseplants to
keep with them. Every time they moved, the plants would go as well.
Somehow, it had been his job to keep them watered. He smiled as he
realized that he actually enjoyed the chore. For some reason, he
found the menial task relaxing.
“That was probably her plan all
along,”
he thought.

“
You needed something to calm you
down.”
Her voice intruded into his mind. A few seconds later,
she entered the kitchen from the basement. “So what are we going to
do? This is a heck of a time to start doubting William’s
abilities.”

“I’m not doubting, just trying to take every
aspect into consideration.” Michael sighed as he pulled a chair out
and sat at the table. He looked from one to the other and asked,
“You both think we should make contact?”

William nodded. “It’s time. We ain’t getting
any further with this if we don’t start somewhere.”

“I agree, dear. You said yourself that there
are risks in war. He who does nothing needs not worry about
arriving at a destination.”