Blood Angel

The journey was made in ten days. Our longboat was wide and sturdy, with two compartments for Nethys and myself to sleep as need be. Which I did as little as I could, for it was all too exciting. I had never been more than a few leagues away from my village, but now to see the world! To travel on the ocean across bright blue water that rolled and danced around us. Sails unfurled and oarsmen working with inhuman strength.

My favorite spot was at the prow of the ship, holding tight to the dragon carved into its beam, spending most of my time soaking wet and not caring. There were storms and rain and fog, here and there, but they only added to the joy of my experience. It was an odd dichotomy, being undead yet feeling more alive than I ever had, before.

I left without a word to my parents. By the time I had crawled out from under the earth, they had found my cart, torn clothing and what was left of my dinner. They assumed I had been attacked and carried off by a wolf, which I would have laughed at had I been told such a ridiculous story. It had rained before dawn, so they used that to excuse there being no blood, but no remains? I was not a slim boy but a healthy young man. What wolf would even bother dragging off my body? And my donkey was still harnessed to the cart; why would it remain untouched? Still, I let them keep that story. It was the simplest way to go.

Nethys told me more about the Oiym as we cut down the French and Spanish coasts. The wolf had not bitten her during its attack, but as it tried to tear into her throat, its saliva spit into her face and mouth, and it was only having a knife in her belt that saved her. However, starting that very evening she sensed the change beginning in her.

"We believe this particular pack of wolves had been mutated by something they ate or drank," she said. "We never did find out. When we seven came together, we sensed the beasts had not traveled beyond our immediate land, so found only ourselves to be changed. One's wife became pregnant when he lay with her, in the middle of his rebirth. That is from whence the blood line stems."

"So we are not really cousins," I had replied.

"As I said, not exactly. But we are from the same pack. And we came to suspect that a vampire may have had something to do with their mutation. The wolves may have attacked one and were somehow infected. But we could not locate any who fit this description, so that remains theory only. I do not believe it, because we are far more complete than mere vampires. Have much better control. Feed less often. And we are far more discerning in whom we associate with."

"The first Blood Angel you turned...was it by accident?"

"No. He was a warrior, so was brought into the fold as a guardian. Same for the other three. They are watching over your family and contain far more loyalty than anyone you have ever known."

She hesitated before continuing, "I should let you know, we would have turned Gabrielle, in a few years. Once she had more experience and age had tempered her less-admirable aspects."

"Why?"

"There is something in her blood that makes her even more like us than yours does. She could even have become one of the Oyim. But now that is not possible."

"Will I ever be?"

"No. Your blood is strong and carries great meaning, but not to that extent."

And she had said no more.

The sea grew much calmer when we passed a towering cliff and into the Mediterranean. There were also a great many more ships traveling between cities huddled against shorelines. Gulls constantly hovered in the air, hoping to find something to eat off us. Never had I been so filled with wonder.

We did not land at Alexandria, herself, but at a pier some miles west, where a massive compound of thick, solid walls enclosed houses surrounding a citadel that was at least four levels high. Odd-looking trees and shrubbery filled nearly every space, with sheep and goats grazing in nearby pastures. I saw no fields of crops, only sand, but carts covered with cloths rolled up to the gates, nonstop, and jugs of wine and bundles of grain were carried in from other ships on the pier.

Nethys took my hand and a moment later we were atop the highest parapet of the citadel. I could look across all of Egypt to see fertile lands along a river she called the Nile, where little ships with tiny sails traversed the slow-flowing water, and another massive city nestled near its tributary — Cairo. Farther down it were tall triangular structures caught in the depths of even more sand.

"This is paradise," whispered from me.

Nethys smiled and said, "If you wish it to be. Come."

Her simple comment brought me back to myself, and suddenly I sensed that others of our nature were close by. I followed her through gentle arches into a great room of simple structure, where silk curtains flowed along walls and well-padded chairs sat in a semi-circle around a pair of similar chairs, one of which had someone seated in it.

Gabrielle.

I could not see her face, but I knew her, instantly. Her manner of sitting was casual, as was her silk gown and the light amount of jewelry adorning her arms. A cloak of purple silk was draped over the back of her chair and flowed to the floor in so easy a manner as to suggest it was meant to stay there.

I cast Nethys a glance, but she ignored me. Was Gabrielle's attendance meant to be a surprise? Or had she been taken unawares as well? I could not tell.

I removed my cloak and sat in the open chair, casting my sister a careful glance. It had been what? Ten years since I had seen her, last, yet still I recognized her perfect profile. Her calm demeanor that could so easily explode into fury. The raven hair flowing down her back and always so perfectly combed.

I could think of nothing to say except, "Gabrielle."

She did not look at me as she replied, "You certainly took your time, in coming."

Nethys cast her a cool glance as she took the center chair in the half-circle, saying, "Gabrielle, you were never in the ground. He was. For three days. Nor was he fed upon; you were. Keep this in mind when you speak with him."

My sister barely smiled, and it sent a chill through me. "You like him," she said in a manner far too calm. "Pity he will never be yours."

I looked at Nethys. Watched her grow cold and tight as she leaned against an arm of the chair and shot Gabrielle a glare that would have frozen the world.

"You will address me with the respect I am due," she said, her voice very-well-controlled.

Gabrielle did not even blink. "I only made an observation."

"Do not make one, again."

"As you wish."

But if my sister was still anything like she had been when I was growing up, she would not be doing what Nethys wanted. And if Nethys was as intelligent as she seemed, she knew it.

At that particular moment, I was so glad I preferred the company of men to women.

An instant later, the other chairs were filled with the rest of the Oiym, and the purest of elegance brightened the room.

The first chair to my right held Anileh, and I knew his name without him saying it. He was about thirty years of age, tightly muscled, and stone-faced with uncaring eyes. His tunic was short and made from linen, and his fine legs were covered not only with leggings but also boots up to above his knees, all in a wonderful mixture of browns and reds. His eyes locked on me and did not waver.

Seated next to him was Luahl, another male but with a more open face well-chiseled into compatible features. His eyes were as black as his hair, which was cut shorter than the rest, and he wore an unadorned tunic that fit his form snugly, in light shades of brown and green. A leather belt circled his waist. He wore the type of shoe that covers the feet then is strapped up around to be secured just below his knee. No leggings, and it was rather obvious he wore no loincloth under his tunic. Which struck me as disrespectful.

Ninsira was to his right, seated elegantly, her form shorter and rounder than that of Nethys but just as lovely in a series of light silk layers done in various shades of green and yellow. Her eyes were bright, her skin creamy, and her hair the color of the sun.

As Nethys held the center seat, Ninshu was to her right and could have been Ninsira's twin were it not for her hair being dark and her gown made of finely woven wool in deep blues and blacks. She also carried a great deal of regality in her posture and pose.

Next was Uttah, leaning on her chair as if about to speak to Ninsira, seemingly amused despite her truly aristocratic features and lean form. She was the most stylish in a gown made from a golden material I had never seen before. Called it taffeta. But Gabrielle noticed it and commented on wishing to have one similar.

"If you are willing to share your seamstress with me," she said, still in her casual tone.

Uttah brushed a strand of mahogany-colored hair from her face, smiling as she said, "You should have your own, by this time."

Meaning, No.

Gabrielle did not react.

Finally, in the last chair of the semi-circle, to my left, was Lugalban, who looked as normal and human as any man I had ever seen. The build of a powerful knight in a white tunic of linen with borders of silk in elegant burgundy. Boots meant for riding horses. A strap across his chest, from waist to shoulder, and a simple shirt beneath. If he had sported a sword, I'd have expected him to be at a tournament. I sensed he was the one who had sired a child and started the bloodline leading to me.

Standing with their backs to the silk curtains were a number of doúlos to attend as needed. All fine-looking men and women of varying sizes, shapes and ages, all neatly dressed in tunics and gowns and all seeming healthy and well-fed. I felt almost as if I were at an audience for the king or queen.

Nethys began by saying, "You two do not have the appearance of brother and sister."

"Appearances are deceiving," Gabrielle said, cool and calm.

No reaction from the Oiym.

Then Luahl coldly asked me, "Why did your father christen you Léonidès?"

"I do not know," I said to him, actually admiring his legs, which he knew, of course.

"Do you know of him?"

"Only that he was king of Sparta and died at Thermopylae."

"We understand you know how to read and write," said Ninsira.

I nodded, slightly.

That caused Gabrielle to look at me, saying, "Father taught you? It was my understanding you were an idiot."

I smiled at her and said, "It's easier to make your way through the world when people think you don't understand what they mean by the things they say."

She cast me only a hint of a frown, but I could tell she was not pleased. And that pleased me, greatly.

I turned to Nethys to say, "One of Prior Pious' men, Gregory, taught me. And also how to do summations. I owe him a great debt. He was very patient with me, and the others assisted him."

"Like one trains a dog," said Gabrielle, casting a cool eye over me.

Just to be contrary, I barked at her.

She merely turned back to the Oiym and said, "I was led to believe my brother was never to be turned."

"That is true," said Luahl, looking me over as much as I had him.

"So if I understand this correctly, you knew he was of the same blood as myself, yet allowed him to consort with a group of male vampires, who obviously were grooming him to join them."

I had to pop in with, "Grooming me?"

"You think we knew of this?" asked Ninsira, ignoring me and not the least bit perturbed at my sister's directness.

Gabrielle gave the slightest hesitation before answering, but no one missed it. "Didn't you?"

"Did you?" was shot right back at her. "You were located much closer to him than any of us."

There was another slight hesitation, then, "I did sense something odd, but I was turned only a few years ago..."

"Six years," said Nethys, "to be exact."

"And not once was concern relayed to us," Lugalban snapped.

I felt the need to speak so grinned and said, "Gabrielle never was the sort to write letters home, and...and I was only her annoying little brother, so why should she care?"

Nethys shifted her eyes to me then back to my sister before saying, "I wonder at your implication, Gabrielle."

Luahl shifted forward to lean his arms on his knees and cast a cold, hard look her way. "Is it a problem for you that he takes pleasure with men instead of women?"

"No, of course not," she replied, but everyone in the room knew she was lying, and she realized it so went into her natural mode of offense. "I am merely surprised that you do not mind the spread of misinformation regarding your powers and...."

That brought a sharp tone to Nethys' voice, again, as she murmured, "Gabrielle, do not forget where you are."

No change of expression from my sister, just that cool, calm demeanor. It was not even broken when Ninshu smiled at her.

"Tell us of your encounter with Prior Pious," she said, her voice light and musical.

Gabrielle merely said, "I have, already. At another meeting like this. Six years ago." That last sentence directed at Nethys. "So I fail to understand why I am here."

"Gabrielle," said Lugalban, his voice hard and direct. "Are you familiar with our citadel, in any way?"

"I am not inclined to explore the residences of others."

"Below us is a dungeon, with cells strong enough to keep even those like you. We have some vampires imprisoned who displeased us. Perhaps you would care to join them."

She finally cast him a glare then said, "It was not an encounter. It was a hunt, with me as the prey. And you know this."

I looked at her with shock. "He meant to assault you?"

"Nothing so trivial," she snapped. "I knew the moment I saw him he was incapable of honest sexual interest in a woman. He only wanted me terrorized. Fear is his aphrodisiac. He had a young man with him, who was only hungry. Prior Pious felt I would make a fine meal for him."

"What was his appearance?" I asked.

She looked at me, the slightest of smiles on her face. "You know him as Stephane."

"He had just been turned, Léonidès," said Nethys, "and needed to feed. But the Prior sensed Gabrielle's blood was unusual so would not let him until he had tasted her, first."

"Which, in a way, was fortunate for the lad," said Ninsira. "Otherwise, he might have wound up in our dungeon."

Gabrielle snarled. "Why didn't Prior Pious?"

"His explanation was satisfactory enough."

"How benevolent. And look what it led to."

Nethys began to drum her fingers on the chair's arm. "Gabrielle...continue."

My sister sighed. "The two of them encircled me and made threatening moves that I suppose would terrorize most other women, and even most men. But I have never let a man think he can control me, and I was not about to start. I had a knife and both of them saw it. Of course, I had no idea what I was dealing with. But that said, the Prior did not gain any fear from me to suit himself...not until he had grabbed me and bitten me...and had realized the mistake he made."

I nodded. "A vampire may not turn a Blood Angel."

Her smile grew cruel. "Would you care to tell the rest of my story?"

Oh, that was the final straw. "How nice to see you haven't changed, dear sister," I snarled.

"Gabrielle," Nethys purred, her voice almost musical in its quiet threat. "Continue."

She looked away from me. Looked at nothing as she said, "He glanced around as if afraid, then suddenly bit into me, again. Continued to drink. That is when Uttah appeared between us."

"You were fortunate I was not so far away," Uttah said. "You were beginning to turn, and he was fool enough to think he could stop it if he took you to death." Then she looked at me and added, "What is more, your sister had lost her knife but managed to grasp a nice sharp stick. And was close to putting it into his heart. Killing him."

"You should not have interfered," Gabrielle snapped.

Anileh just sighed. "While you would have been acting from instinct to protect yourself, it is still forbidden for vampire to kill vampire, so punishment would have been required."

"But I had not yet turned!"

Luahl eyed her, cold and more than a little condescending, which was sure to fire Gabrielle up. Then he said, "Once the change has begun, you are bound by our rules."

"Your rules did not prevent the murder of my brother."

Well, that certainly raised a hackle or two.

"You could have let her mess him up a bit," said Lugalbahn to Uttah. "Maybe that would have implanted our requirements more precisely into him."

My sister said nothing as she continued to look at nothing.

Nethys turned to me. "Relate your experience, Léonidès."

I did so, from the moment I first saw the monks playing in the pond to my burial. I did not mean to go into much detail, but I spoke as if someone else controlled my mind, and they knew everything before I was done.

They listened, quietly, and I noticed Gabrielle, despite her cold demeanor, was hearing me, as well. And seemed vaguely affected by it. When I finally grew silent, they nodded to each other.

"Well," said Luahl, "now we know why he changed."

"How?" I asked. "None of them fed on me."

"Gregory," said Nethys, her voice very careful. "You were bleeding from where he...where he took you. And he..."

It all flooded back and I realized, when he put his tongue down there...to my hole...he had tasted my blood. He had gone against the Prior and tasted my blood. That was why he thought he had failed. He hadn't really known if it would work from down there.

Ninshu nodded, as if she were reading my mind. "That may also explain why you were in the ground for three days. He provided you a layer of protection, just enough to ward off true death."

"It appears Pious didn't sense it," added Anileh.

Gabrielle grew even more imperious as she said, "So my brother being raped saved him?"

"Yes," said Nethys. Then she turned to me and asked, "What would you like us to do about the Prior?"

"I leave that to you," I said.

"And those six helpers of his..." Lugalban was saying.

"Not them," shot out of me, cutting him off.

"After what they did to you?"

"They protected me."

Ninsira frowned with distaste. "I would hardly call what Gregory did a manner of protection."

"No, he is correct," Nethys said.

"So what do we do?" asked Uttah. "Merely cut them loose from him? No punishment for them?"

They were bound to Prior Pious? Of course...he had turned each and they were now his to keep. Higher than a doúlos but unable to be on their own. How did I know this? Again, I have no idea. I just knew, and I blurted, "May I have them?"

They looked at me and for the first time seemed nonplussed.

"You want these men bound to you?" Ninshu asked.

"To do what?" Ninsira asked.

"Just because they might have helped you?" This came from Lugalban, who was almost derisive.

"They're friends," I said.

"Bed partners," Uttah almost sneered.

"What if they are?" I snapped at him. "Is there hatred towards those like me, even here?"

Which made them rather tense. How dare I talk back to the Oyim?

This is when Gabrielle looked at them and said, "It is my understanding that your basic nature remains with you when you become a Blood Angel. Mine did, as did all of yours." She turned her focus to me. "When I was a child, my heart was never kind. His was. I believe it continues to be. He thinks these men are worthy of his protection. So pay attention to my brother when he says they are friends. And know he is not so shallow as you, Uttah."

Uttah rose, stiff and angry.

Lugalban put a hand on hers, in warning.

Nethys' eyes never left my sister as she said, "Gabrielle, you are one of our line, but you are not of the Oiym."

"You will put me in your dungeon for making a simple observation?"

"Nothing you say is simple," said Ninsira.

"I'm glad that is understood." And I was shocked at how completely unafraid Gabrielle was. She leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other, and calmly added, "Léon is the one who was most directly offended by these men, yet he chooses to bring them into his fold. I would not do so, but I am not my brother. Nor are any of you. I would make a decision based on his preferences, not yours."

Nethys was silent for a long moment, then she turned to me and asked, "Is this truly what you want, Léonidès? To protect men who betrayed you? Who abused you?"

"It's...not that simple," I replied, my words uncertain. "I believe Gregory gave me a chance to remain on this earth, in the only way he could. The only way that would not raise the Prior's suspicions. And my feeling is, the others went along with him. None of them committed the same act as he, though I have...I do recall them having done so with each other."

"Once they are bound to you," said Luahl, "you cannot reject them without our approval."

"Which we will never give," Anileh added.

"I will make certain of that," growled Uttah.

Gabrielle smiled and said, "Then it is settled, is it not?" She rose to her feet in a manner so elegant, I was actually taken aback. "Now I am hungry. I have not fed in five days. Are you polite enough to provide sustenance? Or must we forage?"

"Wait," I said. "Has anything been decided?"

Gabrielle cast me a condescending smile. "Léon, you really need to pay better attention. Pious will be brought here to reside in a dungeon until he learns his lesson. His men will be bound to you, to do with as you will. You've become a member of this gathering, with your own little pack of play-toys attached. Congratulations."

Oh.

Well.

Okay then.

What could I say but, "Excellent."

And wonder what I'd gotten myself into.