Destiny (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 1) (8 page)

‘That’s probably a better analogy than you realise. They mostly kill to survive, and so do we, mostly. Although of course there are some very bad vampires out there. But there is something else … about me … that I haven’t told you.’

‘Something else? Oh, I know, let me guess. You can change into a bat—that’s how you get away from the vampire hunters … and catch the rabbits, right?’

He laughed, and the sadness in his eyes diminished for a moment. A wry smile appeared on his lips, and his voice was again calm and mesmerising when he spoke.

‘Did you see that film, where the kid says “I see dead people”?’

I nodded. Yes, I knew the one he meant straight away—I loved that movie. But what did that have to do with vampires?

‘I see dead people, Lili. All the time. Just like the kid in the movie.’

‘Ahhhh … okay … now this is all beginning to make sense. I’m dead, right? Like Bruce Willis. So, what, did my plane crash on landing or something?’

‘No, your plane didn’t crash, but that’s a good one,’ he laughed, and again the sadness seemed to evaporate from his face. Then he continued, more seriously, ‘Really—I see dead people. Anyone that died or is buried nearby, if they haven’t moved on, I can see them.’

He seemed to be serious, and I wanted to believe him, but every time he spoke it seemed to be getting more and more complicated—not to mention far-fetched.

‘You see, that’s why I don’t kill people. I see what it does to them when vampires kill them. They walk the streets looking for an explanation to their death. Or worse, sometimes they don’t even know they’re dead.’

‘Right. So, I take it that not all vampires see dead people then?’

‘No, or at least they don’t see them all the time. Tom certainly doesn’t. Being a vampire intensifies all your senses, and it strengthens whatever skills you had as a human. A lot of people can see ghosts, if the ghosts
want
to be seen. It’s just that I see them even if they aren’t trying to be seen.’

I wasn’t sure I followed all that, but I tried. ‘And so, these dead people … did you see them before you became a vampire?’

‘Sort of. There were a few strange things that happened, when I was young. But then when I learned that my family had died, I wanted desperately to see them again and somehow I knew that if I could find them, I
would
see them. That’s why we went to the hill—that’s why we camped there—that night.’

‘To see your family. And did you see them?’

‘Yes. Well, not my parents, but I saw my sister. I saw Elizabeth. That’s why I stayed—and why I don’t kill people. I’ve always live close to the gardens—you’ve seen my current house. Tom lives there with me, most of the time, and together we help protect the gardens, and the whole area, as much as we can. I don’t want any more ghosts than what are already there.

‘It’s a big job, protecting that area. The streets around the market and gardens are full of backpacker hotels. That’s what attracts the vampires. Backpackers are easy prey as they are often alone and unfamiliar with their surroundings. They venture down dark laneways where they become easy targets. There are vampires everywhere, particularly this time of year. Travellers from the northern hemisphere come here for their school breaks and summer holidays … and vampires follow them here. And with our winter grey skies, the vampires feel safe.’

‘Wait … do you mean to tell me there are lots of vampires in Melbourne?’

‘Yes, especially this time of year.’

‘Well, that’s just … gross—not to mention frightening.’

‘Now you know why I didn’t want you walking home after work.’

‘Ahhh … yes. Thanks, I guess.’

I looked at him, trying really hard to believe all this, but I still felt uncertain. It was, after all, pretty unbelievable.

‘I can see you still doubt me. Look, if you want, I’ll take you for a walk around the streets near the market one day—in the late afternoon. I can sometimes spot them on the rooftops, watching the streets below. I might even be able to point one out to you. I spend a lot of time in the gardens and all around the market; most nights in fact.’

I thought about this—about him protecting the gardens.

‘But you’re here, now? Aren’t you neglecting your duties?’ I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice. It was all so absurd, wasn’t it?

‘It’s not just me. There are others. Tom and I help, but it’s mainly Michael’s job. He’s the main protector, and he’s looking after things this weekend. That’s why Tom and I were able to get away. He doesn’t really need us, you know, but he’s gotten used to having us—it gives him the ability to relax some nights.’

‘Michael? So, I take it he’s another vampire?’ I asked, shaking my head, still trying to clear it.

‘No, Michael isn’t a vampire. He’s a vampire hunter—a dhampir.’

‘Ah, right … the dreaded vampire hunters again. Yes, yes of course,’ I said, still shaking my head with disbelief. ‘And so this, Michael … you say he’s the main protector? And you and Tom just help him. That makes no sense to me … none at all. Didn’t you just say before that vampire hunters
kill
vampires? Isn’t that the whole point of them? And what’s a dhampir anyway?’

‘A dhampir is a vampire hunter. They are the offspring of a vampire and a human woman. They have the strength, power and immortality of a vampire, but they are not vampires. They don’t kill humans, they protect them.’

‘A vampire … and a human woman … you mean they can …’ I couldn’t even bring myself to say it.

‘Yes. Not often, but it does happen. Mostly, it’s the man’s own wife, from before … from when he was a human. But sometimes a woman simply gains the attention of a vampire—and not because he wants to drink her blood.’ He smiled at me shyly, and I could feel my cheeks growing hot with the realisation of what this meant.

‘I see,’ I whispered, trying to force my mind back to the more important issues facing me. This man I was so attracted to wasn’t a man … he was a vampire. And I had to come to terms with what this meant even though I knew I wasn’t thinking clearly.

‘So, let me go back. You say this Michael is a vampire hunter, a dhampir. If that’s true, then how can you be friends with him? Or, more to the point, how come he hasn’t killed you?’

‘Michael’s father is Erranase.’

‘Right, Erranase … the one that created you. So, does that make you sort of like brothers or something? So, like … he can’t kill you?’

‘No, he certainly could kill me, as well as Tom and Erranase, if he wanted to. But he knows that we are all on the same side. We help out when things get … hectic. And Tom and I do a lot of the patrolling so Michael doesn’t have to. He knows I won’t kill people. It’s a bit trickier with Tom and Erranase, however … and Michael has warned them both a few times. They certainly don’t kill any people … in the area. But sometimes they leave for a few days and I don’t ask Tom where they’ve been or what they’ve done, but Tom always seems stronger and sharper afterwards, and I’m reasonably certain it’s human blood that strengthens him.’

Somehow it was all starting to make sense. Well, perhaps ‘sense’ wasn’t the right word, but I did follow what he’d said. And remarkably, I wasn’t scared. I knew I should be scared—in fact I should be terrified. And if anything was frightening, it was the fact that I wasn’t scared. Was I losing my mind? Or was I just so scared that I didn’t even realise it? Was that possible? How on earth, if this was all true, could I be so calm?

‘Are you okay, Lili? I know it’s an awful lot to take on board. I’ve had years to come to terms with it, but I can still remember when I was first created, how hard it was for me to believe. I never intended to tell you any of this. I was trying to stay away from you.’

And that’s when the penny finally dropped.

‘That’s what you meant when you said you didn’t mix well with people,’ I said, in a voice so faint I could barely hear it myself.

‘Yes. But then Tom won this trip, and said he would take Claire whether I came or not … and I needed to be here, in case something … happened. I’m so sorry. I never wanted to involve you in any of this.’

‘It’s okay. I mean, as okay as possible I suppose. I’m not afraid, or at least I don’t think I am. Should I be?’

‘No. There’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re safe. But are you sure you can cope with everything I’ve told you? Because I can make it all go away. I can make you forget, like I did with Claire. You can go to sleep and wake up tomorrow, and this won’t even be a bad dream you had.’

‘No,’ I said, shaking my head, ‘I don’t want to forget. I just need a bit of time to let it sink in. If this is who you are, then I’m glad I know the truth. But, what do you mean—you can make me forget?’

‘It’s just another skill … I can hypnotise you. I can make you forget what you saw. It’s a skill that vampires use to subdue prey—that’s probably how it originated—and in some of us, it’s quite strong. It comes in handy from time to time when there are witnesses to things.’

I nodded slightly, as if that made everything clear. But really, there was so much to take in, so much to try to reconcile between what I’d just been told, and what I’d always thought were myths and horror films. But when he smiled at me, and his beautiful blue eyes sparkled, it was hard not to believe him. I had this really strong urge to trust that everything he’d told me was the truth. It was like I needed to believe him … to trust him.

His cool hands squeezed mine and then he got up off the floor and sat beside me on the sofa. When he spoke, his voice was still soft and soothing.

‘Do you want to try to get some sleep? You can go lie down in the other bedroom. I’d rather you didn’t disturb Claire yet.’

‘No, I can’t sleep—I mean … I want to stay here, with you.’

‘Alright, lean against me then, and try to rest a little. It’s been a big day, and an even bigger night.’ He held his arm out for me to curl up next to him and then he wrapped both arms around me, and kissed the top of my head.

‘Sleep, my beauty,’ he whispered.

I hadn’t realised I was so exhausted; both physically, and mentally. Logic and intuition had been battling against each other in my mind, and I was tired of the struggle. I just wanted to rest, and it felt so wonderful, leaning against him, feeling his strength.

And then, from deep in my memory, a melancholy tune started to surface—one of the songs Mom had listened to over and over shortly after Dad died. As I felt myself drifting off to sleep, the music played softly in my head.

~ C
HAPTER
S
EVEN
~

I woke in a bright room. Sunshine streamed in through a gap in drapes that I didn’t recognise. In fact, nothing looked or felt familiar. I sat up on the bed and stretched, then noticed that I was fully dressed with the exception of my bare feet. I listened intently, hoping some sound would jog my memory, but the only sound I heard was a mechanical hum—perhaps an air-conditioner?

As I sat there, snippets of the strangest dream I’d ever had floated into my mind—something about Claire and Tom … and vampires … and ghosts. I couldn’t quite remember the details … or could I?

My heart started beating faster as realisation hit me with a thud. It wasn’t a dream.

I got up, and carefully made my way into the main room.

‘Hey,’ Sam said from where he sat on the sofa.

‘Good morning,’ I replied, trying to keep my voice calm. ‘Is Claire up yet?’

The memory of what had happened last night still seemed like a dream, but seeing him there, in the same spot where we’d sat last night, there was no doubt—my memories were real, not a dream.

‘Not yet. It’s still early—only half past seven. I’m surprised you’re awake,’ he said, his eyes boring into me. I felt my heart rate slowing down and the uneasiness subsiding.

‘How did I … I mean, I was sitting on the sofa, next to you,’ I said, surprised at just how normal my voice sounded.

‘You fell asleep, so I carried you into the room so you could get some proper rest.’

‘Ah … I see. And so, where’s Tom?’ I wondered how Tom felt about his behaviour. Did he regret what he’d done? Could he be trusted not to do it again?

‘Not here. He’s rather embarrassed by what happened, and thinks you’ll hate him. He couldn’t believe that I told you everything … says I should clear your memory too.’

I thought about that for a moment—about the saying that ignorance is bliss. But they also say knowledge is power. So which ‘they’ do you follow in a case like this one? Somehow I doubted there would be many who could advise me on this issue—I had to go with my gut.

‘No, don’t. I mean, I’m okay. It’s all a bit strange, of course, but I
want
to believe. So, what are we going to tell Claire?’ As the words left my mouth I realised what I’d said—we, not you. I was part of this now. I’d accepted it, and importantly, I’d accepted Sam. And it felt entirely right.

‘Tom will tell her they were climbing on the rocks and slipped—he hurt his arm, and she bumped her head and scraped her neck. He went to an all-night chemist and got some bandages—for his arm and her neck. She won’t question it.’

As it turned out, Sam was right. Tom returned with the bandages and they wrapped his arm, then Sam took a bandage and carefully placed it on Claire’s neck. When she woke a bit later, Tom told her his story and she seemed fine with it.

We spent the morning wandering around The Rocks again, and Tom even showed Claire where their fall supposedly happened. I was amazed at how easily she was convinced.

But I was even more amazed at my own feelings. Having made the decision to keep their secret, I felt this incredibly strong bond—with both of them. I even felt honoured that they trusted me. What did it all mean? Why did they trust me? Where would we go from here? My mind raced with questions for which there were no answers to be found other than by waiting … waiting to see what the future held.

At least the immediate future was easy—in a few hours we’d be on the plane, heading back to Melbourne.

~~***~~

I’d forgotten my apartment keys, so I rang Debs to check that they would be home when I got there.

‘Yes, we’re here. I hope you had a lovely time in Sydney? It’s a beautiful city isn’t it?’