“You are correct,” the Night Mother replied. “Vampires rely on their powers. They have little need for a man-made arsenal.”
“The army?” a member called.
“The army would not travel in such a manner,” the Night Mother replied softly, thinking. “Koha, wait for the reinforcements and focus on returning safely to the Hollow. Do not engage these people.”
“Do you know who they are?” he asked.
“No. And that fact does not disturb me nearly as much as that, whoever they are, they knew to stop in the middle of a journey and search an obviously abandoned shack. One which happens to be known only to us as a refuge for this type of communication.”
Koha heard her message clearly. “You think we’ve been betrayed?”
“I think there is a new player to the game. One which we must not underestimate. Return home my boy. There is much to be done.”
Koha bowed and allowed himself to travel back to the repair shop, where he would fill Matt in on what he had found out and where he hoped Calen and Co. would hurry.
*
The Night Mother waited until all had removed themselves from her chambers before speaking, “Approach, my child.”
The footsteps that followed were cautious, but nonetheless determined. “Thank you for seeing me,” Margaret Hensley said.
“My last words to you have not changed. Although you spurned my offer of help once before, my hand is always open to victims of the night walkers. What is it you want?”
“I haven’t heard from my daughter in a number of days. I was wondering if you could help me in finding out if she is alright? Please.”
“I see. If I recall correctly, the reason you turned my offer down was because you had entrusted the safety of your daughter to Dante Delavega. Why do you not go to him with the question?”
“Because I can’t contact him either.”
“And this vexes you? Surely as the king of Sydney he would have taken on more challenges? The safety of one woman wouldn’t be his top priority…there is more to your concern. What is it?”
“Nothing, it’s just…it’s a mother’s concern.”
“And a powerful force it is. But I can tell from your mannerism that there is something about your worry. Something specific. The sky for example? This situation calls for much more than a mother’s worry. Speak plainly child. I’m listening.”
Margaret had a puzzled look on her face when the Night Mother mentioned the sky, as if that’s exactly what she was worried about. “I heard stories as a girl. About a time when darkness would hang overhead, more dreadful than anything anyone had ever known. And it would be at that time that a girl in our family would be chosen. A demon would rise and infect the people of the land, poisoning their hearts and minds, and he would use this girl to do it, for she was the only one who could defeat him. I just thought they were stories, a fairy tale or myth, but then I thought vampires were, too. And now the sky is black, and I can’t contact my girl.”
The Night Mother leaned forward…and with a melancholy tone. “It is Alex the stories refer to. It’s true. It’s all true.”
“Oh my God…” Margaret breathed as she covered her mouth. “The sky…does that mean…is she…?”
“Dominus took control of her.”
“No! She was immune. She had to be. That was part of the tale. She was to be protected from him unless she accepted death. And she would never accept darkness into her heart.”
“But when you fall in love with a vampire, what is right and wrong, what should and shouldn’t be done, become very shaky. Her walls came down and Dominus’ way was clear.”
“Dante…” she whispered, “he promised me. I made him. Years ago, he swore to me he would never…” she trailed off, and the Night Mother could see the hurt in her face. A once trusted friend had slept with her daughter, breaking a vow.
“He was the one that saved her, Margaret. She lives because of him.”
“She almost died because of him…” she seethed.
“Enough. What’s done is done. You have the answers you seek. Now I ask my questions. What is she? I have heard the same stories as you, though not which family line. The powers were said to be limitless yet nothing specific. I find parts of information here and there, but I need more. The armour, does it exist?”
“I don’t know what she is. I was never told because, I guess, it wasn’t meant for me. Powerful. A light to shine the way. An inspiration to millions. She would wear the red V into battle. The Draco Knights would rise to protect the innocent again through her.”
“Well then, your way forward is clear. As is mine.”
“How can I possibly do anything? I didn’t really believe any of this until recently.”
“You are one of the few alive that knows the truth. Help your daughter become who she was born to be. The sky is not the only danger we face. Enemies are vast and will keep coming. Stay hidden, do not tell her of what you know unless she asks, but be there when she needs you.”
“She and I aren’t speaking. She doesn’t want to see me.”
“Perhaps. But she will need you and all others that care for her well-being. Her fate walks hand in hand with all of us. Unless she finds a way to embrace her powers, the city is doomed. It cannot be forced; it must be organic. There is no easy way. The stars will align on their own, but she must be the one to choose. Any interference could put a damper on that. Go now. Keep in contact but trust no one else.”
*
