The Vampires' Birthright (32 page)

“Chanson and Nora, do you feel the same about this one as Gustav? If she is to become the catalyst that heals the growing conflict between humans and vampires, she will likely need to grow up very fast. Ralu seems determined to destroy all of our political inroads with the human race. They fear and hate us now more than ever, and several hundred years of diligent hard work is being destroyed in less than a year.”

“We both feel the same about Alaia,” said Chanson, after she and Nora traded cautious glances. “She’s the one we were hoping for.”

That caught my ear, and I looked at my cousin. They were talking about Alaia as if she were some kind of messiah. Even though I’d heard such talk previously, it had always been on a much smaller scale. What I mentioned at the beginning of my story, other than what inspired my baby’s name, was Gustav’s words spoken later on to me.

“You need not worry, Txema,” said Koimala, studying me with the look I was begrudgingly getting used to from all vampires while they read my thoughts. “We will be able to protect you and Alaia from Ralu. Something about the coral reef composition of these islands makes it very difficult—and painful—for him to try and follow you here. He couldn’t find Chanson here after the birth of her daughters. She would be the first to admit that if she had decided to stay here, instead of returning to Perpignan so long ago with her young girls, her history, and that of her daughters, would have turned out much differently.”

“I don’t understand. I thought as long as he can hear my thoughts we’re in danger, too.” I wanted desperately to believe an oasis like this could also mean protection for at least Alaia, if not for us both.

“Not when he can’t determine exactly where you are,” said another voice, from across the room. We all looked in the direction of the waterfall furthest from us, and the only vampire dressed in a changshen drew steadily closer. It was Xuanxang, and he smiled at me once he reached the spot where we were all gathered. “Too many centuries spent underground while building his army, this is the one thing that has hurt him. He can only go where his warriors travel first. That’s how his conquests in America and Europe were carried out. So, if his soldiers can’t find us, then neither can he. Anything he hears from your head will be useless to him.”

“And, my dear, his soldiers will never find this place,” said Racco, smiling confidently again. Apparently, other than Chanson, no one presently in our midst blamed him for what happened in America the night before. More importantly, somehow he knew it. “Even if they did get remotely close, our own warriors will easily rout them.”

“All right,” I said, looking around the room at every vampire in attendance—by my count there were twenty-one. “I’d like to stay here for as long as you’ll have me and my little girl.”

“I greatly favor that proposition! We will do our utmost to ensure your happiness, Txema, and Alaia’s,” said Koimala, visibly pleased. “Before we leave for our nightly hunt, I would like to introduce you to my family.”

He motioned to a lovely female first, who stood to his left. Meanwhile, my mind was sorting through possible things the ‘hunt’ he mentioned might include. Likely, he solely referred to human beings, since that’s always been a vampire preference. While I would’ve liked to believe our guests would prey on the evil doer only, visions of the young mother I saw butchered in front of her children in China was the pervading image that came to mind.

“This is Mohini, who is the love of my life!” he said, and for a moment, his gold eyes took on an orange glint.

Impossible for me to know exactly what that indicated, the loving look this other vampire gave him made me think it had something to do with Koimala’s devotion to her. All of the Maldives vampires were lovely to the eye, but Mohini was by far the most beautiful I had ever seen. Her lavender eyes were even more brilliant than Raquel’s. Tall and statuesque with long flowing brown hair and an olive tint to her skin, her region of human birth was impossible to ascertain.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Txema, and I look forward to getting to know you and Alaia,” she said, her musical voice even smoother than my cousin’s. I liked her. “Please, make yourself at home, and know that whatever your heart desires, if it is in our power to make it happen, it shall be done for you.”

“I thank you, Mohini.” I looked over at my daughter, whose eyes were locked on her more tightly than mine had been.

“You may not learn their names right away, but in time you will get to know the rest of our little group quite well,” said Koimala, motioning to the rest of his clan who surrounded us. “From right to left we have Aadi, Abhaza, and Adripathi—the three ‘A’s as Racco likes to call them.”

These three looked like brothers in height and facial features. All were tall with classic Indian features such as beautiful brown eyes, dark hair, and brilliant smiles. More slender than Koimala, their builds were athletic in a runner sort of way. Each took turns bowing in acknowledgement. They reminded me of awkward teenage boys dragged against their wills to a high school dance.

Koimala noticed this, too, chuckling before moving on to the next three males.

“These are among the fiercest warriors in the vampire world,” he said, proudly. “Their names are Bhima, Chatur, and Ravana. Xuanxang will attest to their prowess in rebuffing the Mongolian vampires a millennium ago, when their imperialistic nation sought to colonize everything from Nepal to the Maldives Islands.”

I could tell these were older vampires, with similar multicolor eyes to Huangtian Dadi and Gustav, which left me more impressed by their deference to the apparent younger Koimala as their master. Their skin was a similar olive color to Mohini’s though lacked her elegant smoothness. Nonetheless, the members of this fearsome trio were all handsome.

“When my human life ended at twenty-eight, nearly fourteen hundred years ago, I forever lost the love of my daughters,” he said, with an edge of sadness in his voice. “But these companions in the eternal earthly life we share have at least equaled what I lost long ago. Their names are Asura, Kama, Prasad, Rupinder, and Sitara. Chanson and Nora will attest to how wonderful and helpful they will be to you and your daughter.”

All five came forward, and, unlike the guys, offered friendly smiles similar to Mohini’s. I could already tell that Alaia and I would gravitate more to the girls on this island. Unlike Mohini, these women appeared to have been full-blooded Indian in their earthly lives, and looked as if they were slightly older sisters to Aadi, Abhaya, and Adripathi.

“So, now that you have met everyone, it is time for us to feed,” Koimala said. He then turned his attention to our European female vampires. “Ladies, would you like to come with us tonight? Gustav and Xuanxang will be joining us.”

They all looked over at me, uncomfortably, as if afraid of offending me in some way. I’m sure it had everything to do with the way Koimala had presented the words ‘hunt’ and ‘feed’ for their dinner. But I had yet to see any vats or pitchers filled with blood anywhere around us. In fact, other than Racco’s staff, I had yet to see a single human being. I was half tempted to make a joke that Koimala and his circle of twelve vampires had eaten them all.

“You all have to feed,” I said, when the wait for their response started to get awkward. “Things might be a little different in this part of the world, so know that I’m not expecting something like ‘True Blood’ to be served here.” I gave a little shrug and then realized I hadn’t seen a single television. I hoped that they were readers.

At least Tyreen and Raquel got my joke, as they both laughed softly. I waited for them to patiently explain it to Chanson and Nora, and when I saw the relief light up their faces, I knew things would work out. I just had to make sure I didn’t think long about where they got their nourishment. Much the same way I had to not picture the pet milk cow named Margie that my Grandma Terese kept when I was a kid, whenever I ate a steak or hamburger.

“We’ll be back before long,” Chanson said, and gently kissed Alaia after Raquel relinquished her to me.

I heard multiple goodbyes as the vampires disappeared, leaving only Racco and me in the reception area. His crew began their task of unloading the plane, now that the area was vampire-free for at least a little while.

It could’ve been the romantic moment I had dreamt of for the past six months. Surrounded by such luxury, the night songbirds looked down at us from the highest entablatures atop the marble columns. Not to mention a near-full moon peered in through the open galleries on the floors above us.

“Come, let me show you to your room,” said Racco. He smiled compassionately, while taking my left hand in his. I held Alaia in my right arm, up close to my chest. He led the way to a curved staircase near one of the waterfalls.

As I stated, this could’ve been an incredible moment that boded well for a night of passion. But, I couldn’t focus on Racco and what I’d like to share with him in my bed. Not with the tragedy that happened to Peter weighing so heavily upon my heart.

When we reached the second floor, I was amazed, more like a little stunned at first. My room was spacious and beautifully furnished with a large four-poster bed that appeared to be several hundred years old, along with a matching armoire. Even part of the bathroom, where one’s most personal business needed to be taken care of, contained the most lavish appointments. But, the shower/bath was out in the open, and where I expected to find windows above the marble railing that enclosed the room had nothing. The walls opened fully to the great outdoors, sort of like a partially enclosed backyard deck or patio.

Oh Joy. No privacy, and a good thing I didn’t have love on my mind.

“What do you think?”

Racco seemed to accept this on the same level as the impeccable arrangements contained in his former French castle, and even the chalet at the bottom of the remote Pyrenees location we skied down to last November. I might add that both of those buildings had enclosed walls with glass windows.

“I’m not sure yet.” I tried to picture myself eventually warming up to this arrangement.

The only thing I honestly liked was the sound of the ocean, which seemed louder here than it had downstairs in the reception area. I walked over to the ledge closest to the bed and peered out toward the beach. A soft, warm breeze caressed my face and body, and the moonlight danced on the waves. It was magical. The tension that had gripped my mind while deciding if I could handle a room like this began to ease. Even Alaia seemed to delight in the scenery, as she cooed quietly.

“It may take a day or so to get used to the lack of privacy,” he said, and I knew then that he’d been studying my reaction as I moved through the room. “But remember, other than my staff, you and I are the only human beings here. My employees will only visit your room when you want them to do so, and will otherwise stick to their quarters on the other side of the palace.”

Well, that made me feel a little better about it.

“I want to thank you, Racco, for saving our lives,” I said, voicing my conclusion to what surely would’ve happened to me and Alaia if he had not come to rescue us unwittingly in Nashville. If Racco hadn’t sought immediate resolution of where our relationship stood, Ralu would’ve surely made good on his threats to kill us.

I walked over and gave him a hug, and then kissed him on his cheek. I pulled away before he could seek more. His expression was a curious mixture of disappointment and regret, as if he could’ve somehow prevented the series of events that befell me.

“Give me time to sort things out,” I said, trying to be gentle. “My heart has been through a lot, and it’s not only my heart’s welfare I must consider.”

He nodded while alternating his somber gaze between Alaia and me.

“I’ll give you as long as you need,” he said finally. “But, remember that I’m not like the vampires. I can’t read your mind. So, when things change in your heart, you must tell me and not keep me guessing.”

“That’s fair,” I said, and reached out to grasp his hand. “I promise you’ll be the first to know when my heart is free again.”

He smiled weakly and then left. I thought I might stay up until Chanson and the others returned. But after feeding and changing Alaia, my eyes grew progressively heavier, and I ended up falling asleep with her in my arms. It was the last thing I recalled when I awoke the next morning.