Secrets of the Night Special Edition (96 page)

Shoving loose strands of hair from his face, he looked on in silent satisfaction while the great hall hummed with hundreds of voices from Arabic to Urdu, most of which languages he under- stood. The vast majority of delegates were men, but an occasional woman stood out in the crowd, like a vixen among foxes.

Finished with his silent perusal, Moloch pulled out a chair and officiated at a wooden trestle table, while others stood or sat on the worn benches lining the four walls.

The master vampire spoke in his raspy voice, and the din stopped, like turning off a water faucet.

"I must tell you the reason for this meeting,” he said, his gaze focused on the nightstalkers. He paused for emphasis.” One of the undead has fallen under the spell of a mortal.”

Shocked glances and gasps erupted throughout the hall.

Moloch spoke with cold fury.” I will not allow any attachment between a human and one of the undead.” 

Octavius, a renegade vampire, slunk into the hall and stopped at the outer edge of the assembly, far from Moloch. Clad in a snow-white toga, with graceful folds falling to his ankles and leather sandals on his feet, he liked to project an image of distinction, an impression often at odds with his true feelings. He hoped his perpetual sly grin gave him the appearance of one who considers life--or rather, death--one grandiose joke.

The other vampires viewed him with disdain, throwing anxious looks at Moloch, but the leader appeared oblivious to the sideshow.

A red-haired nightstalker sneered.” What are you doing here? You're not a representative.” 

"Get out of here,” a second vampire snapped.

The maverick's grin widened.” That's what I always like, a warm welcome.”

"Keep your mouth shut, or we'll make you leave.”

Octavius waved his hand.” I want only to listen.”

Moloch paused, his gaze covering the room.” It is Galan who has fallen in love with a mortal. He should have transformed the bitch into one of us long ago, or enjoyed the taking of her blood while she begged for her life.”

More shocked murmurings.

Tall and blonde, with a military bearing, Helmut raised his hand and was acknowledged. He sported a Waffen SS uniform, complete with high black boots polished to a shine, his cap with the silver death's head set at a jaunty angle.” With all due respect, sir, why don't we turn this mortal woman into a vampire?” 

Moloch shook his head.” Don't want to antagonize Galan. I have great plans for him. I've been at the helm for almost two-thousand years, and eventually someone must take my place as leader of the Society of the Undead. Not yet, mind you, but within a few centuries.” And would any of these nightstalkers want to take his place? Not likely, self-centered bastards that they were.

"Kill the mortal woman!” Screams and hisses and curses rent the air, everyone talking at once, the voices bouncing from stone wall to stone wall.” Drink her blood! Suck her dry! Burn her 'til she's only ashes.”

"Quiet!” Moloch waited until the room became silent again.” Ich glaube nicht!”  muttered Helmut.

The head vampire gave him a harsh look.” You doubt my word?” 

"Nein, mein Fuhrer. It just seems so . . . so preposterous one of us would want to become mortal again.”

Moloch scowled.” And despicable. Of course, we can't permit Galan to continue to see the vapid wench. We must drive him away from her,” he said, pounding his fist on the table.

"But, sire.” A young man clad in an Elizabethan costume of a deep red doublet, stiff white ruff, and black silk hose stepped forward.” If Galan is so unreliable, why would you consider him for leadership?”

"Because I want him for the position,” Moloch said.” Until Galan met this mortal woman, he was the very image of what a leader should be--trustworthy and dependable, able to make decisions and act on them.” Unlike the rest of you, he thought, painfully aware these delegates were the best he could scrounge up.” Because of these admirable traits, I consider him the best candidate.” Resolve deepened his voice.” What we must do is lure Galan away from this wench.”

Rosalinda stepped forward, her look bold and confident, as if her actions determined the fate of nations. Adorned in a deep green velvet gown that swept the floor as she moved, she wore her long hair loose to her waist. Gold glittered from her neck, ears, and wrists, sparkling in the nighttime darkness.

She spoke in a firm voice.” I did my best. Galan and I were lovers once, and I tried to resurrect our affectionate relationship. I did everything I could, as you ordered, but he spurned me.”

"You didn't try hard enough, my girl.” Moloch's sharp gaze raked her from the crown of her head to the six-inch black spike heels on her feet.” With all your, um, feminine charm, you surely should have drawn Galan away from this mortal. So try again, and no excuses. I'll not accept failure a second time.” He held up a hand.” But no harm is to come to Galan or the woman.” He waited a thoughtful moment.” Not for now, at least.” "Yes, sir.” She bowed her head, her long hair tumbling in front of her face. Gathering her dignity about her like a cashmere shawl, she eased to the back of the room, already planning her next move.

* * *

As Galan prepared to go downtown for his feeding, a figure materialized in the room.

"Octavius! What brings you to my humble abode?”  A mocking grin on his face, Galan rose from the bed to embrace his friend.” Haven't seen you for a long time--what is it? --over a hundred years, I'm sure.” In his white toga and leather sandals, his visitor looked the picture of an esteemed Roman senator, but Galan knew his garb was an affectation, for Octavius had served as a Greek slave in the
Roman Empire
. He even doubted Octavius was his real name.

Octavius returned the grin.” Only thought I'd look up an old friend. You know what a sociable creature I am.” 

"You never were a good liar,” Galan replied with a rush of affection.” Now tell me your real reason for being here, not that I don't appreciate having you. But it might be helpful to know why.”

Octavius sat on the bed and swung his legs around, resting his back against the headboard. He adjusted the folds of his toga with concentrated precision.” Very well, let's get down to business. Moloch is concerned about you . . . no, maybe 'alarmed' is a better word.”

Filled with countless anxieties, Galan straddled a cushioned chair, his arms resting on the back.” Tell me something I don't already know.” He remained silent while the full meaning of Octavius' message sank in.” And he related his concerns to you.” 

"If only it were that simple,” Octavius said with a worried look.” He called a meeting of the vampire delegates, and--"

"By St. Aidan, no! It is no one else's business.” Galan frowned as another thought erupted.” But you're not a representative, are you?”  Neither was he, Galan silently admitted. At one time, yes, but now he wanted only to keep his distance from the fiend.

Octavius winked.” I invited myself. I believe the modern term is 'crashing the party. '"

"Why should he call a meeting just because of my--"Galan paused, more worried by the minute,”--my relationship with a mortal? That was the purpose of the meeting, I suppose?” 

Octavius studied his fingernails, each one painted a different vivid color. He wiggled his matching toes.” Partly. He's considering you as his successor.”

Galan snorted.” Why in Hades would he consider me? I have no interest in the position.”

"My friend, you refuse to recognize your sterling qualities.”

"I've managed to put up a good pretense for all these years--centuries! And I'll continue to do so, especially now that I must protect the mortal woman.” He released his arms and sat back.” At one time, I would have assumed leadership of the Society, hoping to guide it along more, uh, compassionate lines. Now I see there is no changing Moloch. But why are you telling me these things about Moloch and the meeting?” he asked, cracking his knuckles.” Obviously I'm glad you came to me with this news.” 

"You helped me once,” Octavius said.” Remember the jealous nightstalker who threatened me because I took his woman from him? And how you threatened him by vowing to tell Moloch of some nasty remarks he made about our esteemed leader?” 

"Ah, yes, Morcar. And the girl, I believe, was Lilith.”

"Right on both counts. So this is the least I can do to repay you.” He changed his position on the bed, a sober frown on his face.” No, I'm not being entirely honest. How did Moloch ever get to be leader of the Society of the Undead? No one asked me how I felt about him. And something else--I don't like his methods, his constant supervision, as if we were all children he must discipline.” He scowled.” Now, there, I've said my piece, and I wouldn't be surprised if you agree with me.”

"Most definitely.” Galan's mind churned.” Rosalinda's been here once. I'm concerned about what she might do--not to me, but to the woman I care for.”

"You leave Rosalinda to me,” Octavius said, smoothing his fingers over his slicked golden hair.” I've taken rather a fancy to her, and I am not without a certain amount of charm. I'll make myself so irresistible, she can't refuse me.” He exuded absolute confidence, polishing his nails on his toga.

"Which still leaves Moloch,” Galan said, close to panic.” And Stevie,” he added, sotto voce. What could he do about her? He couldn't walk out of her life. He needed to see her again and again, but more important, he had to protect her.

Octavius snapped his fingers.” I have an idea! I shall create a diversion--don't worry, I'll think of something--that will keep Moloch occupied, so he'll forget about you and your beloved.” He paused.” At least, for the time being.”

"Yes, for the time being. Those are the operative words.” Galan ran his fingers through his unruly hair as his troubles tormented him, with no resolution in sight.

A moment of silence stretched between them. Octavius opened and closed his mouth, fidgeting on the bed.

"What is it, my friend?” 

"Is it true you wish for mortality?” Octavius blurted.

Galan's head jerked up.” Moloch told you that, didn't he?”  He held up a hand.” No need to answer. Until recently, I've been able to hide my feelings from the fiend. But now . . . now, since I met the mortal woman, things have changed. Moloch saw me with her! Spying on me, damn the bastard! My life-- such as it is--has changed.” He cracked his knuckles again.” Anyway, why wish for an unattainable goal?”

Octavius gave him a long look from under his lashes.” I've heard rumors of an elixir that can make a vampire mortal again and--"

"What?” Galan jerked in his chair, his mind reeling with possibilities. If it were true, oh, God, if such an elixir really existed . . .

"Only a rumor, you understand.” Octavius gave him an apologetic smile.” Possibly I shouldn't have brought up the subject now--"

"But I'm glad you did.” Galan stood and paced the floor, running his fingers through his hair.” It gives me hope.”

"False hope, I'm afraid, mon ami. I'll try to find out more about it . . . somehow. If Moloch should hear about this elixir, or that I've been asking about it . . . well, you see the difficulties.”

"By St. Aidan, yes! Don't put yourself in danger for my sake. But if you do hear anything . . .”

"I'll let you know, believe me.”

"And I shall try to find out more, too.” Galan returned to his seat, resolved to calm his emotions, not wanting to get his hopes up, only to have them dashed. And many problems still remained. He leaned forward, forcing himself to speak with confidence.” My friend, I can't tell you how much your help means to me, but sooner or later, Moloch will return to deal with me.”

And he'd have to deal with Moloch. Which one of them would win?

"Hi, Dad, how are things in
New York
?”  Steve lounged on the sofa, her left leg slung over the back, phone cradled against her ear. In jeans and a T-shirt, she was quite comfortable on this balmy evening in late December. She tossed a romance paperback onto the coffee table and held the phone closer to her ear.

"Everything's okay here. Just wanted to see how you are. We missed you at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Too bad you had to work.” Was there a trace of sarcasm in his voice, or did she only imagine it?”  You going to work at that bookstore for the rest of your life?” 

"Hardly. I intend to start at
Barry
University
for the fall semester.”

"Studying what?” 

She took a deep breath.” Sociology. You know I want to go into social work.” 

"Social work! There's no money in that.”

"Give it up, Dad. There's more to life than making a lot of money.”

"Like what, for instance?” 

"Job satisfaction, for one thing.”

"I'm perfectly satisfied with my profession, and I make good money besides. The two are not mutually exclusive.”

"But I like to help people.” She slipped her leg from the back of the sofa and sat up, then leaned forward.” And maybe I can even make a difference in someone's life.”