From the conversations with Geo, I shouldn’t have been surprised to discover that he kept a home above ground just outside the entrance to Sybil’s subterranean kingdom, but I was. Perhaps it was more the type of home he kept than the fact that he kept it.
After a quick breakfast, he gave me a brief tour of his place before hurrying me along to be reunited with Sybil. I was in awe of the splendor surrounding me. I’d only seen rooms like these in photos of modern, European homes on the internet. The humble cabin that was my home for the better part of my life paled so severely in comparison to the splendor of his exquisite place. As he pointed out the purpose of each room, he acted not the least taken by the quality of the satin, silks, and velvets that covered his sleekly designed furniture and broad windows. Nor was he impressed by the sheen of the highly polished brass and silver door knobs and lighting apparatus. Instead, he expressed his
After waiting patiently for me to seat myself next to her and then waiting a bit longer for me to get comfortable within her energy field, she told me how she and a few others were discovered by a small troop of mutant-vampires alongside those massacred that fateful night ten years ago. No one could understand why she still breathed. For most of the people they found it was too late. The few who were holding on to life by a thin thread would die soon. After a brief debate on what to do, the leader of the troop decided to welcome them into their world. They gave her and the other few still alive their venom.My gasp didn’t go unnoticed when I heard the words mutant and vampire. Nor did the shift in my seating. Her hand shot out to catch my forearm in a vice grip, preventing me from following my instinct to run as far away, as fast as I could.“You need not fear me, child,” she assured me. “I don’t drink the blood or eat the fles
I struggled to focus on my surroundings as the world came back into view. I was still in the infirmary, but I was no longer strapped onto the operating table. Instead, I was resting comfortably on a narrow cot. My tee shirt was replaced by a long white nightgown constructed of a light flannel and lace. I craned my head toward the sound of feet shuffling behind me. One of the nurses came into my line of vision and stopped to inspect me. Compared to the treatment I had from the doctor, her ministrations were gentle. Never-the-less I found them invasive.“There, princess,” she said as she pulled my gown down over my legs and the sheet up over my torso. “You are good as new again. Our princess is fit for a prince.” With a giggle over the humor I didn’t understand, she ordered the two goons who dragged me from there to return me to my room.My body was still tender from the horrific ordeal I just experienced, so I didn’t
The luscious feel of satin against my skin made up for the clumsiness of the heels I was forced to wear as I did my best to follow Julia to our destination. At one point, I thought I was at risk of turning an ankle, but, after stopping and adjusting my stance, I eventually got the hang of walking in such foreign footwear. We were about half way there when I had finally managed to manipulate my strides in a manner that allowed me to keep up with my rough and tough escort.Julia got me as far as the anteroom to the great room I had tea in when I first arrived before backing away. She explained that the room was for the elite only. Being a mere soldier, she wasn’t allowed past the anteroom. Once again, I was made curious of Geo’s position within Sybil’s kingdom. Were generals considered elite?A woman I could only describe as stunning approached me. Her long gown glistened beneath the soft lighting of the elaborate crystal chandel
I remember only two things about my wedding reception. One was the fact that my new husband told me his first name was Charles and the other was the tortured look on Geo’s face every time Charles touched or kissed me; which was often. I found the situation so horrifically unbearable that I was actually pleased when Charles told me it was time to consummate the union. Nothing could be worse that being in the same room with Geo while belonging to another man. Or so I thought.Charles surprised me by leaving me at the door of my room with Abigail in attendance and continuing on to the suite assigned to him. I wanted to wipe the knowing smirk off her face as she guided me into my room and closed the door behind us.“I’ve been assigned to prepare you for the prince,” she said with a smug smile. “Let me help you out of your gown.“I can do it myself,” I said as I backed away from her. “You can leave now
It was late in the afternoon when we stood on the mountain ledge overlooking the valley that harbored the small community of Verso. Although we were still too far away for me to see that actual village, realizing its position between two mountains, I could easily see how the community could remain under the radar of Bartholomew’s people.When we finally entered Verso, my first impression wasn’t favorable. The landscape surrounding the small community looked just as war torn and haggard as the rest of the land we’d traveled over. Remembering Geo’s description, I struggled to understand why Geo would tell me a story about his beautiful home when he came from an area that may actually be worse than where I lived.We encountered a few people now and then and I was struck by the reverence they gave Geo and the small group. If nothing else, he certainly was loved.When we reached an old dilapidated barn that was riddled with abandon
My reaction to discovering my great uncle wasn’t dead was far from receptive, but what did they expect? He supposedly died long before I was born. The world as I knew it had almost instantly disappeared. Accepting and understanding the new one I found myself in was difficult and sometimes nerve-wracking. Because of this, I understood and excused myself for my outburst even if they might not.Amongst the many things my grandparents hadn’t had the forethought to make sure were placed in our emergency hideaway that became our permanent home were pictures of our family. Although they lamented over the loss of the photographic memories of generations past, we had far greater items that would determine how well we survived to worry about replacing. The photos were soon forgotten. If it hadn’t been for my grandfather’s references to the fact that not having Milton’s adept abilities as a medical whiz to complement my grandmo
Luthias’s visit lasted far longer than I’d have preferred, but I saw no way of rushing him without being obvious. He clearly enjoyed storytelling. I learned our small party passed through the portal leading to the magical dimension while traveling single file through that incredibly dark and narrow passage beneath the old dilapidated barn. The residents above ground lived willingly on ruined land that was so common place throughout the planet. Their worries for having their needs met were relieved by the assistance and supplies provided by the residents of Verso.Very few non-vampires have ever entered Verso and, to his knowledge, none left alive. When I questioned why I was brought to such a place, he simply shrugged and said they had no other place to take me. When I reminded him that I had a home with loving grandparents who I was certain were searching for me and he could have easily taken me there, he pointed out what I already knew; Sybil would look there fi
I was slow to rouse to the sound of scuffling in the distance. I was even slower to shake the fog from my head and remember where I was. Luthias burst into the room just as I was alert enough to understand something was amiss. I opened my mouth to speak and shut it obediently when he put his finger to his lips. His body language told me all I needed to know. I was in danger.Geo raced past Luthias and scooped me into his arms before I realized his intention. My first reaction was to fight him off. I was angry with him, after all. The sensible voice in the recesses of my mind shouted for me to behave and let him do what was needed to save me from whatever was violently making its way down the hall.“What’s happening?” I whispered into Geo’s ear as he paced the room with me in his arms.“Your husband has arrived,” he whispered vehemently between clenched teeth and an iron jawline.“I thought he couldn&rs