The Dark Gifts Birthright (10 page)

Liz continued to chuckle. The thought of a
vampire who didn’t believe in ghosts was hysterical.

Angie filled many hours of the day and night
with humorous accounts of William and his escapades in the
fortress. Until Liz’s arrival, William had been her closest and
dearest friend. She trusted him completely, even though he was all
the way dead.

Liz told Angie all about her family and home.
They talked about her job, friends, and all the things that Liz had
done in her human life. She was enthralled with Liz’s stories about
her life. Being taken at seventeen, three hundred years ago, Angie
did not have the life experiences that Liz had, and was very
impressed by them. Technology also intrigued Angie. After hearing
about MP3’s and music videos, she was ready to hit the outside
world again and go on a shopping spree.

Days passed slowly. Having Angie to spend
them with was, at least, some small help. After two weeks of
monotony, Liz finally felt a mental nudge from Michael.

“
I’m almost home. Did you miss
me?”

She heard the smile in his voice, but also
something more. Something was not quite right.
“Of course I
missed you! What’s wrong?”

“
In time. I am coming.”

Relief filled her. Just knowing he would be
with her soon sent shivers of anticipation through her body.

Five agonizing hours later, Michael walked
through their door. He looked a fright when he entered. His
bloodstained shirt hung from his broad frame in shreds. She threw
herself in his arms and held him close. “Are you okay? All the
blood...where have you been?”

“Shhh,” he replied. “It’s not mine. Just let
me hold you for a minute, and I’ll explain.”

They embraced each other for several minutes
before Michael finally sighed and disentangled himself from
Liz.

“You could really use a bath,” she
giggled.

He smiled down at her and said, “Want to wash
my back?”

Liz could see in his eyes that something
bothered him, but he didn’t seem to want to talk about it, so she
went with his playful mood and started teasing him. “I think you
need more than your back washed! And what is that smell?” she said
as she pinched her nose and grimaced.

Michael lunged to grab her, but she ran away
laughing. They chased each other around the room twice before
ending up in each other’s arms.

“I really do need a shower. I’ll go get
cleaned up and be right back.”

Michael didn’t waste any time lounging around
in the bath, he was in and out. Liz warmed some blood over the fire
and had it ready when he returned. She was the perfect little wife,
“Except for the blood thing and the marriage thing.”
She
thought.

She glanced up and saw him leaned against the
doorway. Droplets of water glistened across his bare chest. Thick
muscles bulged and flexed as he repositioned his weight. Her tongue
darted over her lips. Michael’s eyes twinkled with amusement, but
the tone of his voice was serious as he said, “The blood thing
can’t be helped, but we could remedy the marriage thing if you
like?”

Liz smiled shyly and looked away. She didn’t
think she’d ever adjust to this mind reading thing. Cat like,
Michael bounded over the back of the couch, landing in a seated
position. He patted the empty space next to him. “Come sit with me.
I have a lot to tell you.”

In the first few days after Liz’s attack,
he’d recaptured and imprisoned twenty of the thirty-five unnamed.
The other fifteen somehow found their way out of the complex. Many
believed that they were released on purpose. As quickly as he
could, he skimmed over the details of his mission. The fact
remained that both of them were still in danger. Should the Council
decide against them, their fate would be sealed.

Sitting in silence now, Michael contemplated
various solutions for their predicament. He knew someone had to be
hiding the eight missing unnamed. Hesitant, Liz began to tell him
her own tale.

She told him how she had wandered around
looking at all the artifacts trying to get acquainted with her new
surroundings, and ended up in the tunnel below. He remained
motionless as she spoke. When she repeated the overheard
conversation between Demitre and Monroe, the muscle across his jaw
pulled tight in anger. Knowing why she had run and how she ended up
in the dungeon, enraged him even more.

Standing, fists clenched, and face pulled
taut, he was a terror to behold. For the first time since Michael
turned her, Liz was afraid of him.

“Stay in this room. Lock the door. Allow no
one entry. I must relay this to my father. I will return as soon as
possible.”

Michael walked to the door and looked back
one last time saying, “Obey me in this, let no one in.”

Then he was gone. Even knowing that Michael’s
rage was not intended for her, Liz could not help fearing the
fuming vampire as he left the room. He would never hurt
her
;
she knew that, but she pitied anyone who encountered him in this
state.

***

After a brief knock, Michael entered
Gregorio’s room. Thankfully, he was alone. “Father, we are all in
danger. I will explain, but you need to prepare to leave.”

Gregorio’s face turned ashen as Michael
explained the situation. He sat as if the weight of the world had
pushed him into the ornate chair. His gaze drifted to an old canvas
oil painting of a sunny meadow bursting with flowers. When Michael
finished, Gregorio remained in his silent daze. After a moment, his
eyes full of remorse, focused on his beloved son.

“It is upon us then. We have feared this
coming for many years now. Even if the girl hadn’t set the unnamed
free, this was to be. There will be war now.”

“I know, Father. I am sorry.” Michael walked
to the fireplace and watched the flames devour the logs. His
thoughts raced as he tried to prepare an argument against the order
he knew his father was about to give.

“Nonsense. You need not apologize for those
who have always stood against us. You must take her and leave. Many
of us will die before this is over, and you will be primary on the
list. I will inform the Eldest as soon as you have left the
fortress.”

Jolted by the strained tone in his father’s
voice Michael pleaded, “You must come with me. You are primary in
the Eldest’s ear, should you stay they will come after you as
well.”

Michael’s thoughts were chaotic. He moved to
the corner of the room and ran his hand over the giant mace held by
the suit of armor. He knew if he left Gregorio here without his own
expertise, he would be in jeopardy. Gregorio was a skilled fighter
in his own right, but one against many…that was a death sentence.
He also knew that unlike the hulking vampire, Liz had no ability to
protect herself at this time. She was too young and too new.

Walking over to where Michael stood, Gregorio
grasped his shoulders and looked into his eyes. The look on his
face was that of final farewell. “You must go now and swiftly. They
are watching the girl carefully in hopes she will make yet another
mistake. Get her out of here and keep yourself alive. I will try to
keep you informed on the Council’s decisions and what is happening.
Do not tarry, and do not trust anyone. Let no one know where you
are going or where you are when you get there.” Then pulling him
closer he whispered angrily, “If this does not go well, avenge me.
Now go!”

There was no point in arguing. His decision
would not waver.

Michael ran all the way to his apartment. He
bolted into the room, startling Liz. She flipped around bringing a
hand to her throat. The grave look on his face halted her relieved
laughter in her throat. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Fear replaced rage as he moved to grasp her
hand. “Don’t ask any questions. I can’t give you any answers right
now. Walk with me and stay calm, smile and play along. Whatever you
do, do not act like anything out of the ordinary is happening.”

Liz’s face fell as she glanced at the door.
“What is…?”

“Shhh. Just come with me.”

They had just started out the door when Angie
appeared nearly hysterical right on their heels. “Mother says run!
Right now. We have to leave, and I am to go with you!”

Michael grabbed her face. “Calm down.” He
looked into her eyes, leaned down, and whispered in her ear.

Straightening, he furtively glanced over
Angie’s shoulder, grabbed Liz’s hand, and continued down the
corridor.

Angie regained her composure, and sporting
her best cruise director’s smile, followed behind chattering away
as if nothing strange was happening at all. Liz didn’t attempt to
process what the girl was saying. Smiling and nodding as she
watched the other vampires they passed. Most milled aimlessly
about, some spoke in hushed tones, but all of them looked worried.
They strolled casually to the main entrance and walked right out
the door without encountering any resistance at all. It seemed
everyone was too worried to pay them any attention.

When the door closed behind them, they rushed
to Michael’s car. He opened the door motioning Angie into the back.
Liz pushed the seat back into place and slipped in the passenger’s
side.

“Time to go.” He slid the key in the ignition
and the engine responded with a loud roar. Looking over his
shoulder, he guided the car out of the parking space, flipped the
transmission into drive, and pressed on the accelerator. The car
lunged forward.

They barely made it off the property when
Angie became hysterical trying to tell them what was happening.
Michael hushed her right away, “Stop. We are too close. Save it for
later, I’ll tell you when it’s safe.” Angie quieted and sat in
silent terror.

Michael drove as if hellhounds followed. Liz
couldn’t be sure which was scarier, what they were leaving behind
or what they might literally be running into. For hours they sat in
total silence. Then finally Michael began to speak. “The vampire
nation is about to be at war, Liz. We are in grave danger. We must
get away, as far and fast as we can.”

Angie piped up from the back seat, “That’s
what I’ve been trying to tell you! We are already at war. Mother
said the fighting started in the dungeon. Dissenters were freeing
those you returned! They killed the guards that were posted and
were coming for you and Liz.”

Michael reached over and took Liz gently by
the hand. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life.”

He gazed into her eyes not knowing that his
own gave away the strong emotions wreaking havoc on his mind. “It
will all be okay, Liz. I will keep you safe if it’s the last thing
I do.”

Chapter Six

Hide and Seek

Michael drove all night heading south. He had
several safe houses all over the country. Most were only known to
him. Michael had never trusted anyone completely, except his
father. Tides could turn quickly, and he never knew when his
usefulness would wear out. They reached the nearest safe house just
before dawn.

Dust covered cobwebs floated freely through
the kitchen. Liz sputtered and swiped a web from her face. “Who's
the cleaning lady? I think you should fire her.”

“I haven't been here for a while.” Michael
answered.

Angie's eyes darted around the small room.
“Umm, I hope you don't expect me to clean this mess up.”

Running his hand through his hair he said,
“If you're hungry I have some frozen blood in the freezer. It
shouldn't take long to thaw.”

Eye's wide and smiling, Angie asked, “You
have electricity here? Really? Oh that's great! I call dibs on the
shower.”

“Go ahead and look around. There are two
bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. Towels are in the hall closet.”
He said loudly as headed through the dining room door.

Liz pulled out a seat at the kitchen table
and sat. “I'm exhausted. I don't feel hungry, but in this populated
area I should keep the thirst at bay.” She grimaced and continued,
“I can smell the people next door.”

Michael flipped on the lights and began
heating a plastic bag of blood in a pan of water on the stove.

“So what do we do now, Michael?”

“I don't know. I'm trying to figure it
out.”

Clinking pipes resonated throughout the
house. Liz shook her head. “I guess she was serious.”

He shrugged and retrieved another bag from
the freezer. “She'll be wanting this when she's done.”

“What about you? Aren't you going to
eat?”

“I'll have a cup. My mind is racing. I hate
leaving father there to deal with this alone.” Slicing the bag, he
poured two steaming cups of the burgundy fluid, took them to the
table, and sat across from her. Within minutes, towel wrapped
around her head and wearing an old red and black checkered bathrobe
that was entirely too big for her, Angie entered.

“Where's mine?” she asked.

“On the stove. Help yourself.” Michael
answered.

Angie sighed and rolled her eyes as she went
to retrieve her breakfast.

After she joined them, Michael pulled Liz's
hand across the table and held it firmly. “This is where we stand.
This house is fully furnished with weapons and food. I have to get
back to the fortress and help my father. You two will have to stay
here on your own.”

Angie's hand hit the table. “Are you
crazy?”

“No one knows about this place. I bought it
with my own money. It’s not even in the fortress archives. I have
plenty of money stashed here so you can go shopping and get
anything you need.”

“You can’t just leave us here! You can’t go
back to the fortress. Michael, they are trying to kill you.” Liz‘s
voice trembled as she spoke.

“I have to go back. There is no way around
it!”

“Michael, please!” she begged. “I don’t want
to be here without you. You said you were never leaving me
again.”