Vampires Dead Ahead

TWENTY-FOUR



A larger-than-life presence filled the room, and I turned to see my father walk through the tavern door. He lifted his hands, telling everyone to remain seated, then worked his way over to us.

My mother came in behind him. She must have gone out into the village for something.

As soon as Father seated himself and picked up his mug of ale, the warriors relaxed and went back to their meals and their own mugs of ale. Noise filled the tavern again.

“It is good you have come, Daughter.” Father always sounded gruff, even when we were having a family conversation.

“How long will you be here?” Mother smiled, obviously pleased I was there. She made such a pretty queen. Despite the fact that she was human, the Dark Elves had grown to love her.

“Not long, Mother.” I wondered how much time it would take to get an audience with the Great Guardian. “It depends on a few things.”

“Such as?” Father asked.

I frowned as I thought about what I needed to tell them, and what I needed to ask my father. I glanced at the warriors around me and lowered my voice. “It’s best we talk somewhere private.”

Father studied me for a long moment then nodded. “First we will eat. Then we will talk.”

The barmaid returned and Father told her to prepare a meal for us. The tavern’s cook and owner were bound to make sure it was a kingly feast.

While we waited, Father drilled Colin with questions. “Where are you from?”

“Campton, sir.” Colin looked far from intimidated, unlike many others when they met the king for the first time. Colin had a comfortable presence that I loved.

“Ah.” Father gave a nod. “How is old Durkin?”

“Last I saw King Durkin,” Colin said with a smile, “he was still chasing off knights who want his daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“He must have more of a problem if you are no longer in his realm,” Father said. “Dragons aren’t easy to come by.”

“It is true that my race is becoming much rarer,” Colin said.

Fascinating. I’d had no idea Father would know the king of Colin’s home.

Mother looked from Father to Colin with genuine interest on her face. “How many princesses have you guarded?”

“Over the ages there have been several.” His gaze met mine. “None so beautiful or special as your daughter.”

My cheeks grew warm and my belly flip-flopped because of the way he was looking at me. Colin had a way of making me feel cherished and beautiful, and loved.

Father cleared his throat. Colin turned his attention back to him, answering more of Father’s questions and telling stories that had my gruff king of a father belly laughing.

Sheesh. I’d never expected this. But I loved it. My father genuinely liked Colin, that much was obvious.

The barmaid and servers brought out two hams, three beef roasts, two chickens, and a shank of lamb. Then came the vegetables, bartered from the Light Elves. Carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and corn pudding. The freshly baked bread and rolls smelled like heaven.

Father told the warriors in the tavern to share in our dinner. Not one of them declined. I don’t know if it was because he was the king, or because they were hungry.

After such a delicious feast, it was hard to pack in dessert, too, but I managed. Fruit tarts and puddings were served and devoured.

When we were finished with dinner, the four of us walked back through the village and across the great hall to Mother and Father’s chambers. In the sitting room, Mother sat in her rocker while Father reclined in an oversized chair. Colin and I sat together on a settee across from both of them.

The room was done in rich purples and blues. Mother had decorated it once she moved in, with elegant Queen Anne furniture bought in from the Earth Otherworld.

I sat up straight on the settee as I spoke to my father. “Rodán is …” I swallowed as I forced the words out. “Vampires got to him, Father.”

Shock registered on Father’s and Mother’s faces.

“Rodán?” Mother held her palm to her chest. “He’s … dead?”

“What happened?” Father said almost in a growl. He had never liked Rodán, but I knew he had respected him.

I wasn’t sure how to say it, so I did the best I could. “He isn’t exactly dead, he’s undead. Or soon to be. Volod bit him and buried him and soon he will rise as one of them. He will become a paranorm Vampire.”

Mother seemed to be holding her breath. Father’s features took on a tight, angry expression.

I raised my hand. “Father, do not tell me I must move back to Otherworld, away from danger, because that’s not going to happen.”

For the first time, he didn’t launch into a tirade about me coming back to Otherworld permanently. I was his princess—it was hard for him to stop being overprotective.

Mother moved to the settee, and Colin got up so that she could sit down beside me. She hugged me and for the hundredth time I wished that I’d inherited from her the ability to cry.

“I know he was special to you, honey.” She stroked my hair, her motions soothing. “I’m so sorry.”

“I am, too.” I straightened and looked at my hands before meeting my mother’s gaze. “I miss him,” I said, my voice hoarse with pain. “I miss him so much. Even worse is that I might have to deal with him as an enemy. I just can’t think of him that way, but I know that deep down, that is reality.”

“Tell me what it is that you have come to talk with me about.” My father’s words brought my attention back to him. “I know you didn’t come from the Earth Otherworld just to inform me of this.” I wasn’t surprised my father knew I had something to ask of him. He wasn’t being callous, just matter-of-fact.

I leaned forward as I explained what had happened so far, all that we knew. Then I discussed what we believed would be happening soon, going into as much detail as possible. Colin interjected whenever I needed him to.

“We need help,” I said after I’d filled Father in. “We don’t have the resources in New York City to battle this threat.”

“What do you want of me, Daughter?” My father probably knew, but was asking anyway.

“I want to know if you can send Drow warriors.” I clasped my hands in my lap. “To help us fight this Vampire threat before they amass an army of paranorm Vampires. We must do this as soon as possible.

“We need skilled warriors,” I continued. “Humans are no match for the paranorm Vampires. We lack numbers. A force of Drow warriors I could lead would give us what we need to go after them.

“The warriors cannot handle daylight, but then Vampires also come out only at night.” I leaned forward. “The threat to the entire Earth Otherworld is so strong. I know it is asking a lot, Father, but I don’t know what else to do.”

Father was quiet for a long moment. Because he didn’t immediately say no, I had some hope.

But finally he said, “I am unable to do this for the people of the Earth Otherworld.”

Even though I had expected this, I felt deflated and hurt. “Why not?”

“I will not risk the lives of my warriors in a battle for beings from another Otherworld.” He didn’t raise his voice; he sounded genuinely concerned.

“It is against my policy to have my warriors risk their lives in a fight that is not theirs,” he continued. “I would do it for you, Nyx. You are aware of that. However, I would be doing it for others, not you. It is not our affair.”

“I understand.” I sighed and looked at my hands. “But I thought I’d try.”

Mother stroked my hair, her touch light and welcome. “What will you do now?”

I glanced up at her. “I need to talk with the Great Guardian.”

“What?” Father looked surprised and not very happy.

“There’s no one left who can speak with her.” I forced myself to relax against the back of the settee. “Monique and Rodán are gone forever, and I’m told there are no other liaisons to the GG. I’m the only one with any sort of connection to her. We need help, and maybe the GG can give it.”

Father still didn’t appear to be pleased, but he slowly nodded. “I will inform the Great Guardian that you wish an audience with her.”

“Thank you, Father.” I took a deep breath and let it out. At least he would help me with this hurdle. “How soon do you think that will be?”

The springs on my father’s chair creaked as he got to his feet. The rest of us stood, too. “I will contact her now,” he said. “As far as when she will give you an audience, I do not know.”

“I hope it’s not long.” I was so restless, I felt I needed to talk with her this very minute. “I don’t think the beings in the Earth Otherworld have much more time.”

“It will be when it will be.” Father strode out of the chamber and closed the door behind him.