Always the Vampire

“Tell us what happened,” Saber said, dressing the wound with efficient, gentle movements.

“I had word that a visitor was to arrive. A member of the Council of Ancients.” Cosmil cut his gaze to meet mine. “A vampire of your King Normand’s European line named Legrand.”

“Normand was not my king, Cosmil.”

“Nevertheless, Legrand wanted to check you out, I believe you would say.”

“Why?” Triton asked.

“And why now?” I added.

Cosmil leaned back in the chair and sighed. “He knew of your rescue from the coffin, but you were beneath his notice until you and Triton vanquished the vampires last month.”

“How did he find out about that?” Saber asked as he peeled off his gloves.

Cosmil leveled his gaze on Saber. “I must report to the Council just as you do to the VPA, although I may have edited some details of the event. I withheld the extent to which you are able to drain energy, Francesca. At any rate, Legrand’s stated intention was to test Francesca’s powers and to help groom her to battle the Void.”

“Why? Are vampires in other countries infected, too?” I asked.

“I must presume so, although Legrand did not speak openly of victims nor did he share details of the vampire community in general. Indeed, all of the Council of Ancients members are somewhat secretive about their communities.”

“I get the impression,” I said, “that you didn’t believe his story about training me.”

“I’m afraid Legrand was not known for altruism.”

Saber finished gathering the used first aid items and wrapped them in a paper towel. “That’s twice you used the past tense,” he said. “What happened?”

“When Legrand was hours past due, I went into the Veil to search. I found a body, too blackened and withered to identify.”

My stomach turned at the image, and I shuddered so hard, I rattled my teeth.

“That matches the way the vampires in VPA custody are dying.” Saber confirmed. “When the life force is drained, the tissue darkens and shrivels like a raisin.”

Cosmil nodded. “Legrand’s legendary ruby ring was on the body’s finger. When I bent to retrieve it, I was attacked by a force that slashed and attempted to smother me.”

“Then you’re infected now, too,” I said.

He shrugged. “I am well enough, and I will conduct a full purgehealing later. Thankfully, my escape spell worked, because the close encounter gave me information about the Void.”

“So you have a clue what we’re dealing with?” Saber asked.

“I do. I believe the Void is a thought form, though an atypical one.”

“You lost me, Cos,” Triton complained.

“In the mundane world,” he began, like a professor on a lecture roll, “our thoughts are merely thoughts. On the metaphysical plane, our thoughts have life and reality. They are powerful vibrations that can be consciously directed, but they can also be manifested unconsciously.”

“Sorry, still lost. Give me examples.”

“Thinking positive thoughts about getting a good job can yield a good job. Prayer circles sending health thoughts can assist in healing. And, relating to Francesca’s field, places believed to be haunted can become haunted due to the group mind phenomenon.”

“What does this have to do with the Void?” Saber asked.

“Most thought forms are nonphysical, but the Void is not. It is a magical construct, likely created in a ritual that focused willpower, visualization, and life force energy. It appears in and acts in the physical world as directed by its creator.”

“You make it sound like a movie zombie,” Triton said.

“Except our zombie is a black blobby fog,” I mumbled.

“A zombie is a fitting comparison. To have this blob directed to do harm is bad, but it can get worse.”

“How much worse?” Saber pressed.

“It can become an independent entity. Go off the creator’s leash, as it were, and wreak its own havoc.”

“Shit.”

“Indeed, Saber, but there is good news of a sort.”

“Cosmil, don’t make us pry it out of you,” I warned.

He heaved a breath as if bracing to tell us the bad news. “Being in direct contact with the energy gave me a clue to its origin. I suspect the Void is being directed by a wizard named Starrack.”

“And who the heck is that?” I asked.

Cosmil’s blue gray eyes locked on my face.

“Starrack is my brother.”





FOUR




“Your brother?” I echoed.

You could’ve knocked me over with a gull feather. I glanced at Triton’s stunned expression then at Saber’s grim one.

“Sadly, yes. We have been estranged for several centuries, and in fact, I thought him dead.”

“But why would he create a monster like the Void? What would he gain?”

“Money. Power. It might even be a whim. Starrack was an extraordinarily talented wizard. More talented than I. However, he lacked the level of discipline and the morals to be great. One could never be certain of his motives.”