The Last Vampyre Prophecy (19 page)

I sit uneasily with a growing feeling of apprehension. I know that whatever comes from his mouth is going to change me.

He stares into my eyes for several moments before he speaks.

“Adonia, there are things in this world that go beyond the human plain. Magic and supernatural beings that keep in the shadows but feed off your kind. We take your resources and your humanity and conquer. Dominate. It’s our nature to rule what is around us. I’ve lived for nearly two thousand years and dominated everything around me. Seeking, taking and owning.”

He takes a deep breath and continues, “I was once an affluent boy in Greece. I was cocky and antagonistic to those of lesser means around me. My father owned a blacksmith shop and provided most of the building materials to the city. We were rich and had everything we wanted. I was an only child and set to take over the business. One day I was visiting my father
’s business friend at his palace when a young girl knocked me off my feet and blew away my entire existence. Her beauty and poise was that of nothing I’d ever seen. She glowed with life and happiness. The moment I saw her I was never the same. Her name was Nanu.”

“
But right off my father forbad any contact. She was the daughter of the housemaid’s sister. He considered her too low for our kind. But there was no denying her. She spoke to a part of me that no one ever had. Soul deep. We hid our affair and I saw her nearly every day beneath the confines of the palace. But I know my father knew. Then one day a woman appeared at the palace and began trying to allure me. She was beautiful and exotic and exactly what my father envisaged for me but I loved Nanu and this woman knew the pull she had for me.”

“She seduc
ed me for days until her rage took over and that’s when it happened. That’s when she turned me—Mehi.”

I gasp. So she’s been trying to make him hers since the very beginning. “What happened to Nanu?” I whisper.

His face falls infinitesimally before he wipes his expression clean, “Mehi killed her right in front of me. While I was lying on the floor, my body beginning the stages of transformation I watched as Mehi drained every drop of blood from her body then tossed her aside like a dirty rag. But then the changes to my body took over my senses and I closed my eyes seeing that life for the last time.”

He
’s staring at me as I try to soak in all the pieces of his puzzled existence. But there are things that don’t make sense. “The dreams. My dreams—where I see you, is that Mehi? Is she the one that has been terrifying me in my sleep for years?” My voice nearly inaudible.

He nods and I blink at him in horror and confusion. “Why? How? How can she be in my dreams? How can you be in my dreams? I’d never even seen you before, Khai.” I stand and run my hands through my hair and cup my face. “It’s just not possible,” I whisper.

He walks over to me and runs his hands up and down my arms then tilts my chin up to look into his eyes. “Adonia, yo
u
ar
e
Nanu.” He murmurs and I feel the muscles in my legs turn to gel and I fall.

Images of her now flood my mind
, different than any of the dreams before. I see her everywhere and Khai…oh God. The nights we spent in the Burroughs under the palace. All his touches, caresses…kisses. I see them all plainly as if it were yesterday.

I feel his lips at my ear, “Adonia. Can you hear me? Come back.” his voice is like silk and it warms me from my toes to my heart. I open my eyes and his violet
irises cause my heart to skip a beat as I drink in his beautiful face. He’s been mine all along. I’ve belonged to someone that I didn’t even know existed.

He smiles at me, “You were the only person to ever break me down then build me back up. It’s always been you, Adonia.”

I sit up on the sofa. He’s carried me into his office. I turn to face him fully. “Tell me. How?”

He pulls us back against the seat. “Your aunt—the house maid—was a practicing
Papyri Graecae Magicae. She was very powerful and your death was devastating. She knew of your love for me and exactly what Mehi was. She placed a protection and resurrection spell on you that ensured you walk the earth again and reunite with your love—me.” He pulls my hands to his mouth. “You found me, Adonia. It’s us, it always has been and it forever will be.”

My menial human brain is incapable of comprehending the depth of information just
shared with me. I can’t process the reality of all these life-altering events. I’m what, a reincarnated Grecian housemaid? My lover is a fucking vampire and I am being hunted by the same woman that killed me two thousand years ago? What the fuck?

Khai tries to suppress his smile but I scowl at him, “I have no idea what you find funny about this whole situation. You’ve just imparted some rather disturbing news and you find my reaction funny?” I hiss.

He shakes his head seriously, “No. I do not find humor at all in this news. It’s just, well, you always surprise me with your reactions. You are amazing, Adonia.”

“Forgive me if I find all this a little hard to believe, Khai. A week ago vampires only existed in books now here you are sitting in front of me in all your undead glory telling me that I’m here on a borrowed ticket and that I’m really someone else.”

He laughs, yes actually laughs at me and I have to suppress the urge to punch him in the face.

He laughs harder, “You were always the only one to lighten my heart.
You make everything better. The way I view the world, the way I feel, the way I react—all of it is better because of you.”

I hate that when I am most angry with him he can say something like that and it all melts away. All ire forgotten and all I want to do is curl into his lap and feel him all around me.

He reaches over and tugs me into his lap and rests his chin atop my head. “Right here, in these arms is where you belong.”

We sit in sil
ence for hours just processing. I know he is reading my thoughts but I don’t care, I have a lot of things to think through and digest.

I trace the skin just under his neck where his shirt is unbuttoned. It feels like fine silk. He hums low as I circle my finger over the flesh. “You said there are people we need to see. Who?” I ask.

“Fatima, the house maid—your Aunt.” He says matter of factly.

I snap my head up and stare at him with wide eyes. “She’s still alive? She’s a vampire too?” I ask in horror.

He shakes his head, “No. She’s not. Her kind have many abilities and she is one of the few that lives a long existence. Not immortal but close. They have powerful spells that can debilitate us—our kind. We need her against Mehi. I need her protection for you.”

“How many are there? Of her kind.” I ask.

He shrugs, “I don’t know exact numbers but mostly they exist in and around Greece. You come from her lineage so it’s likely you have some abilities.”

“What?” I whisper.

“Her blood runs through your veins, Adonia. She’s a very powerful witch and I would hazard to say you have her powers.”

I shake my head, “My parents blood runs through my veins, not hers. Modern science says so.” I
reply heated. I hate the thought that I don’t belong to my parents. I am their blood. They raised me and taught me to be the person I am today.

Khai’s face softens, “I’m not trying to take any of that from you, love. Never. You are everything I could ever want and I thank you parents for raising such a beautiful, talented, strong, intelligent woman.” He strokes his finger down my cheek, “Open your mind, Adonia because I’m going to show you things that go beyond the realm of reality. It’s all out there you just have to be willing to see it.”

I stare at him and finally nod. I trust him and I know that through whatever we face he will protect me and teach me.

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN

KHAI

As we prepare for landing I already feel the pull. I can sense the magic hanging over the city that used to be my home. Greece has immortal history since the beginning of time. Zeus, Pegasus, originating Vampyres, The Papyri Graecae Magicae. It’s all engrained in the aura of the city.

As we taxi down the runway my senses h
eighten and I can feel the spell cast over us. It’s almost like a film coating the air just above us. I pull Adonia from the plane and into an awaiting car.

Her eyes rove the landscape as we drive through the city. As we pull to the familiar building I sense her. She’s powerful and she’s here
. She’s knows it’s me and I can see her thoughts are bewildered yet knowing. She’s waited on this day. She’s waited on me.

We climb from the back and walk to the side where the gardens are. A little girl in a white dress is playing in the flowers and running through the grass. As we approach the little girl turns and smiles wide inviting us to play.

Adonia steps before me and kneels in front of her. Children have never appealed to me so I stand back and watch their interaction. Adonia is a natural matriarch. I watch the way she sends reassuring messages through her eyes and motions.

The little girl is in awe of her. She thinks her hair is like black silk and her eyes look like her mommy’s ring—emerald. I love the perception of Adonia from other people’s eyes. They see what I see—sheer perfection. She’s stunning.

A voice rings from a side entrance and it’s Fatima. The little girl hesitates but leans in and kisses Adonia’s cheek before running back into the house.

Moment’s later
Fatima steps from the shadows and walks toward us with her face wiped of emotion. But I can feel her awe as she takes in Adonia. She’s waited on this for centuries. This is what has kept her in existence—this very moment. She’s waited just to glimpse her.

I look over at Adonia when I begin to see the flashes of
Fatima’s image in her mind. Over and over moments they shared, laughed. Adonia feels the connection and it’s settling into her bones. She understands, and pieces of the puzzle of her life are finally fitting together. She’s relieved because there were always things that never made sense but now she is whole.

She mesmerizes me.

Saying nothing as they close the distance and very softly embrace. The sun drifts between the branches and reflects the blue hue of her hair as she softly cries. She’s an angel and I am the devil. It’s overwhelming.

Finally they pull back and gaze at one another.
Fatima strokes her hair softly, “You’re still just as beautiful. So beautiful—inside and out.”

Adonia has tears streaking her face and all I want to do is wrap her in my arms and kiss them all away.

She smiles at Fatima, “I remember you,” she whispers, “I remember everything.”

Fatima
smiles, “It’s because you’re home. You’ve found your way back home and everything is finally right.”

Adonia just gazes at her in awe and I float through the images of the two as a family all those years ago. Nanu’s mother died during childbirth and
Fatima raised her as her own.

She takes Adonia’s hand and closes her eyes chanting something in a low whisper. When her bright brown eyes open again her entire mood has altered. She’s serious and alarmed.

She looks to me, “When?”

“Two days at best.” I answer immediately, “I wounded her but she’ll have healed quickly. Her intent is the very same. She wants her destroyed.”

Fatima’s eyes blaze with fury. I can feel her magic encompassing her and Adonia.

Her eyes move up to the sky and I can see she is testing the weather. She feels Mehi. She looks back to me the
n Adonia. “Come with me. There is much we need to do.”

We walk around the house and down to the
Burroughs we know all too well. Fatima leads us to the back cellar and pulls out an ancient Papyri with candles and incense. She slowly sinks to the floor and begins reading off the paper. After several minutes I can feel her aura change. There is darkness over her now and she is calling to a dark place.

I feel the shif
t in the atmosphere. The particles in my being are hyper aware and my instincts are telling me to run. But I’ll never leave her side.

Adonia senses it and moves closer to me. It’s like a gravitational pull with us. When she molds into my side we become one.

I feel Fatima’s eyes on me as I gaze down at Adonia. She says nothing she’s just studying me. Then she stands and walks over to me, “Do you plan to turn her?” she asks in a detached voice.

The selfish part of me wants nothing more than to make her mine in every way so that we can spend forever together but the part that loves her says no.

I shake my head, “No. I don’t want this for her. I don’t want her to be like me.”

She regards me impassively for a long time then turns back to the circle and begins to chant. She goes on for hours never breaking her chant and calls into the sky.

Finally she turns and walks over to Adonia. Carefully she reaches for her hand and the instant they make contact I feel the connection. It’s pulsing and strong. Their eyes closed they flood each other with emotions and images.

Fatima
opens her eyes, “Do you love him?”

Adonia never
hesitates, “With everything I am.”

Fatima
closes her eyes and smiles, “Then forever it shall be.” She says softly and speaks in an ancient language even I am not familiar with then I feel the cold breeze cross Adonia’s skin as she shudders against the touch.

I make a move but
Fatima snaps her head in my direction, “You cannot touch her right now,” she hisses then returns her attention to Adonia. Anger quick and fast burns up my spine and all my inner instincts are telling me to grab her and run but I wait. Patience is not a virtue of mine and the seconds feel like an eternity.

Finally she drops her hand and steps back smiling warmly. I feel the drain on her and sense her organs beginning to deteriorate. The glow around her is dimming and I look to Adonia who is brimming with life. I can feel the power ebbing through her body, pulsing.

Adonia turns her emerald eyes on me, “I can feel it,” she whispers in awe.

I smile, “Me too.”

She looks back to Fatima and her face falls suddenly and tears roll down her cheeks, “No.” She whimpers. “Please, no. I just got you back, don’t leave me.”

Fatima
smiles warmly, “Oh princess, my life has been long and fulfilled. The only thing I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy and protected. I was unable to do that for you years ago but today I give it all to you. I want you to cherish it.” She looks to me, “Never leave her side. I’ve given her the gift of eternity and it is now your turn to honor her and protect her—forever.”

My mind flits through millions of thoughts at once and I realize the enormity of her words.

Forever.

Adonia is sullen with grief and steps to
Fatima. They embrace and exchange several sentences in the same foreign language then pull apart. Fatima strokes her cheek and leans in to place a kiss to her forehead.

“Go. I feel her and she’s closer.
” She warns then touches her hand to her heart, “Find it—peace.” She murmurs then turns her to the door. I grip Adonia’s hand and walk toward the door.

She glances over her shoulder, “
Goodbye, she whispers and then closes the door behind us.

The uncertainty and fear once plaguing her are gone. Replaced by a new strength that surprises even me. We walk in silence and I tangle myself in her thoughts absorbing all this new energy and possibility.

As we reach the car she stops and turns to me, a breeze drifts between us and in that moment we both feel it. She opens her eyes and gazes at me, “She’s gone,” she whispers and walks into my arms.

I stroke her back and hold her into my chest. Minutes later she looks up to me and smiles, “She found it,” she says softly, “Peace.”

I lean in and kiss her lips, “Yes.”

She nods then we turn back for the car. I feel the particles in the air condensing and becoming
leaden. She’s telling me she’s coming. The hum of the overhead street lamp is buzzing in my ear as I open up to all things around me. I want to know every element that surrounds us.

When we arrive at the plane I pull her aboard at a fast pace. When we are settled into our seats I lea
n in, “Where we are going is not promised to be welcomed. Probably the exact opposite. Our kind do not intermingle together. But he is the only one who can offer any help with her once she finds us.”

“Ok.” She says calmly, “But I’ll not let her down. She gave me this gift and Mehi won’t win, not this time.”

I nod then pull her into my lap, “Sleep. I feel your fatigue, love. Rest.”

She curls into me and I automatically feel
the fire start to burn inside, warming her. My instinct is now to protect her first, above all else.

As she drifts to sleep I think of
what awaits us with Bassam. We’ve met only once and it nearly ended with the destruction of an entire Albanian village. Mehi felt our connection and plan to destroy her even then those many years ago.

She brought us both to the brink of death then sent us apart. I’ve avoided her since but now I have nothing to lose because she is coming anyway.

Bassam can create clones of himself to mask his true being. They have abilities but none of the strength and weapons that our kind possess, but effective for evasion or distraction until he can strike.

My plan is to mask Adonia so that we can distract her long enough to bury her. I want to watch her disintegrate. 

I’m sifting through her thoughts as she sleeps. They’re mingled with past and present but each one has a vision of me. I feel the pockets of air ahead and know there will be turbulence.

I tighten my h
old on her and her eyes flutter open. “Hi.” I murmur. “Hold on, we’re getting ready to have a bumpy ride.”

She stretches and sits up leaning against my chest. She’s quiet and I know that the enormity of all that’s happened has drained her as she tries to process it.

I reach around her waist and pull the seatbelt snuggly around her. Moments later the plane pitches sharply and we are jutted in our seats.

She looks at me with wide eyes, “I hate airplanes,” she mutters. “
I mean I really hate airplanes—I’m terrified to fly.”

I laugh once, “I’m scared to ask what you thought when we were whizzing
through New York City.”

She shudders, “Don’t ask.”

I grin and take her hand, “I don’t need to ask.” I remind her and she smirks at me.

“Ah yes, the ever extraordinary mind reader, how could I forget.”

I laugh, “Extraordinary you say?”

“Over the top.”

“Just the way I like it.” I murmur against her neck.

She sighs, “Me too.” She lilts.

“I know. And I can’t tell you how much it pleases me that you do.”

She smooth’s the
lapel of my jacket; “Maybe you can show me later.”

I lean in and kiss her ear then whisper, “Or now,” and I lift her from the seat and carry her back to the office.

She’s l
ying sated in my arms running through thoughts of Fatima and her gift. She’s overjoyed with the notion of spending an eternity with me doing this—making love.

When the image of a child floats across her eyes I stiffen. The one gift that I am not able to provide. I sense her question before it leaves her lips. “No,” I whisper.

She turns and looks at me then places her hand on my chest. “It’s a small price to pay to get a lifetime with you.”

Her words send tendrils of warmth throughout my body.

Adonia Kostas already owns me.