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Chapter 13:  Aftermath


Nalita gave me a vicious blow to the face. “Shut up!”

I did, with a stunned look on my face.

“The life thou knew hath ended. Thou art dead. Erlic son of Gustaf, is
no more.  Thou hast been reborn through me. And I, Nalita, thy Sire,
rename thee. Thou art forever more Alexander. Rise, my Childe, and
learn the ways of the Kindred.”

I stood. “Now follow. We need to get you fed. I didn’t Embrace you to
have you fall into the madness of the Hunger. And I think I know where
best to let you sup.”

I was shocked when she led me from my home to the small house Kiro and
Hiroko shared. She explained. “We are here because of one of the
unfortunate qualities of our Clan. We are Clan Ventrue. For reasons
I’ve never understood, we get the most satisfaction from feeding from
the manner of kine we fed from at the very first. In my case, it was a
seagoing man. That’s why I’ve kept you close. Your blood sings in your
veins for me.”

“I’ve known you for eighteen years. When you try, you make friends
easily, and would have no trouble seducing such a friend. So the
person you shall feed from first time will be a friend and lover. Kiro
waits within. Like you, her grief is intense. Hiroko died yesterday.
Teniko died the day before.”

Deep within me, I felt a sense of loss at her words. But burying the
sadness roared my need to drink. Hunger drove me like a lash.

“Kiro has not yet contracted the pestilence. So, I give you the
opportunity to strengthen the humanity and compassion within you.” She
slapped me hard, and I realized I had slipped into a state of
animalistic need. I shook my head and nodded at her. “ If you do as I
say, the Beast within you can be controlled. If not, you will become a
rabid animal, with no compunctions and only the need to kill. Do you
understand?”

“Yes Mistress.”

“Good. As I said, I offer you the opportunity for compassion. This is
what we shall do. Kiro sleeps at the moment. We will attend her. I
will monitor you as you feed. I will stop you when you have fed only
as much as necessary. When she awakens, you will offer her sympathy
for her losses, and refreshment. You will serve her wine, and in the
wine, you will mix a tiny bit of your blood.”

I looked at her like she was mad. “The wine will dull the agony of the
change. But the change will come. And with the change, will come
protection from the pestilence. And when she is safe from this
horrible plague, we can plan for what the future may bring. I fear
great changes follow this disease.”

We entered Kiro’s chamber, and I saw with alarm she wasn’t alone. Her
eight-year-olds, Seria and Torako slept with her. I looked at Nalita
with concern. “Worry not, I’ll make certain they all sleep as you
feed. Now, think about your need. Let your fangs slip from there
hiding places. Approach her, and kiss the throat of a woman you loved.
Strike gently, and let her blood flow. I will watch, and allow you to
do no harm.”

I obeyed. I let the hunger rise within me, but kept it sharply under
reign. I could feel a pressure behind my teeth, and felt the razor
points slide from their sheaths. But something felt wrong, and I
realized that they slid from my lower jaw as well as the upper. I
looked at Nalita and she almost smiled as she saw me. “You look like
you’re ready for battle, sweet Alexander. And in battle, they are a
truly lethal weapon. But for now, sheath the lower.” She watched in
satisfaction as I managed this bit of control. “Much better. Now sup.”

I bent over the sleeping woman that had been my beloved’s dearest
friend, and kissed her throat. She sighed happily, but remained
asleep. Then I opened my mouth, pressed my lips against her skin, and
allowed the razor tipped fangs to slice her flesh. Warm blood filled
my mouth, and I drank eagerly. Then I drank more, sucking greedily the
life from within her. I stopped only when Nalita wrapped her fist in
my hair and ripped me away from Kiro.  I turned on her with a snarl of
fury, and felt her fist smash into my nose, pulping it as I collapsed
with a howl of pain.

Then I watched jealously as Nalita’s tongue caressed the wounds I’d
inflicted, washing them clean and sealing them shut.

Nalita looked at me with some despair. “Goddess, I’m going to have to
teach you control, or your life will be feast and famine.”

A soft sigh came from the bed, and I realized Kiro was waking up.
Nalita looked at me and her eyes widened. “Hurry, go wash. The last
thing I want her to see is you with blood all over your face. Even if
it is all from your nose. We can’t do anything about your bruises,
though.”

I went to the basin and washed my face. When I looked in the mirror
above Kiro’s dressing table, I realized what Nalita was talking about.
I had fading bruises under both eyes, and as I watched, my nose
shifted and straightened. I dumped the basin and refilled it with
fresh water, then moved back to Kiro.

She opened her eyes and started, seeing Nalita and I waiting for her.
Then she held her arms out to me, and I took her in my arms. We wept
together for some time, then she calmed. “I’m sorry. I woke from the
most wonderful dream. Hiroko and I were making love, and it was so
marvelous. Then I woke up, and saw you two, and realized Hiroko is
gone. And it broke my heart all over again.”

Nalita sat beside her, and brushed her hair from her face. “We are
here for you, Kiro, for you and your son and daughter. Now, let Erlic
fix you some wine, and we’ll talk.”

I stood and moved to the sideboard. I kept myself turned away from the
bed to conceal my actions, then poured a goblet of wine. Then realized
I had no blade to break my skin, no way to add the blood. I looked
down as my finger began to twitch, and watched my nail lengthen and
shape to a point. I drew it against my wrist, and smiled as it split
the skin easily. Amazing, I thought. Then I let the blood flow into
the wine. I stirred it with my fingertip, and the nail shortened back
too normal of it’s own accord. I carried it back to Kiro, and sat on
the bed.

She was about to take a sip when she noticed my face. “What happened?”
she demanded.

“I got drunk, after Mia died, and stumbled and fell against the tub.”
I could see she was doubtful, but decided not to push the matter.

I watched her as she took a long drink of the wine. For a moment, I
thought Nalita was mistaken, then a shudder ran through Kiro and she
looked momentarily nauseous. I was surprised at how quickly she
recovered though. “I’m sorry, I guess I shouldn’t drink on an empty
stomach. I thought I was going to be sick.”

Nalita smiled sympathetically. “Go ahead and finish it, and we’ll take
you all to my home. My servants can fix us supper.” Kiro obediently
drained the goblet, with no further ill effect. As she finished it,
the twins awoke together. Seria noticed us first, and looked at her
mother for reassurance. Torako simply sat up and greeted us politely.

“Mistress Nalita and Master Erlic have invited us to stay at the
Mistress’s home for a few days. She doesn’t believe any of us should be
alone for now and I agree.”

Seria spoke up. “It’s hard to be here without Da or Teniko. I keep
hoping they’ll come back to us.”

I hugged the little girl. “I know, I feel the same way about Mia and
Zara. But they are waiting patiently for us in Paradise. And for now,
we have no choice but to miss them.”

After we made our way back to Nalita’s, her servants made Kiro and her
children feel at home, and we enjoyed an early supper. I learned that
if I was careful, I could manage to eat small amounts of normal food
with minimal difficulty. Although purging myself afterwards was
distasteful. After dinner, Kiro took the children to her chamber to
bathe them, and Nalita discussed the wisdom of inflicting the Change
on the children. We agreed it was necessary to insure their health,
and their mother’s well being.

So when they came out to wish us good night, they each had a small
glass of wine. “To help them sleep” was the explanation Nalita
offered. Kiro followed them shortly after.

When the house was quiet, Nalita took me by the hand. I almost
expected her to lead me to her bed, but she took us instead to the
sitting room. She bade me sit, then sat beside me, snuggling against
me. “I’m sorry, but with so much loss, I need to feel close to you.
You don’t object, do you?”

I responded by putting my arms around her shoulders and letting her
lean her head on my shoulder.

“Listen carefully, there is much I need to teach you tonight. First,
you are of the eighth generation to follow the One that was created
First. Some call him Caine. I know not why. I have heard that many
Sires teach their Childe their lineage. I can only tell you who my
Sire was, though. He was the man by the tree that grew. Para Halcon
d’Pena. He was the one that created me, that Embraced me. I was twenty-
eight, and had been his Ghoul for twelve years. That’s what the other
Kindred call a servant of the Blood. Perhaps some time I’ll tell you
why he offered me the gift so long ago. But that’s unimportant for
now.”

“I told you our Clan name. We are of Clan Ventrue. Other Kindred refer
to us as the Patricians. In a way, that is so. We are the leaders, the
advisors behind the thrones, some even call us puppet-masters. We seek
control, for our protection.”

“So, there are other Clans?” I asked.

“Aye, thirteen others that Para taught me of. I’ve only met members of
seven in twelve centuries. The most dangerous of them are the Tremere.
We refer to them as the usurpers. Their founders were mortal magi who
sought out the secret of the Kindred, and stole the Gift of the
Embrace from an Ancient. They are schemers and not to be trusted. Not
that it is wise to trust any Kindred.”

“Then there are the Brujah, who consider themselves soldiers. And
Gangrel, who seek out the beasts of the forest to serve them. The
Malkavians, who are left mad by the Gift. But in their madness
sometimes resides truth. The Nosferatu, the hideous and deformed
creatures that hide within the catacombs of every major city across
the world. The Ravnos, who live alongside there mortal twins, the
gypsies. Thieves and scoundrels.”

“And finally, the Toreadors. The most plentiful Kindred. The artisans.
They seek out ‘beauty,’ though some of their ideas of beauty are truly
disgusting. But if you ever find yourself needing a temporary ally,
they are your wisest choice if one of our Clan cannot be found.”

We talked the night away. And when the dawn was near, I was filled
with a lethargy I’d only felt after forty-eight hours of hard work and
no sleep. “Aye,” Nalita explained, “the rising sun will drive you into
an unconscious sleep to begin with. Eventually, you will learn to
function during daylight. But for now, I’ll show you to your bed.” I
remember entering the room, then nothing more till I awoke with the
sunset.

I wandered into the sitting room after bathing and dressing.  Nalita
was sitting in one of the chairs, and Kiro and the twins were playing
chess. Two to one seemed to have evened the odds . I gave Kiro’s hair
a gentle touch as I passed by, and she smiled up at me sadly. “I need
to go home for a while. Zara’s menagerie will be looking for food, and
I need to do some things at home.” Although, I had no idea what I was
going to do.

The twins looked up at the mention of Zara’s pets. “Oh, can we come?
Please?”

I was about to agree, when I saw Nalita shake her head. “Not tonight,
children. We have to make sure none of them are sick, then maybe we’ll
bring them back with us in a day or so.” Kiro nodded her agreement,
and I was surprised when Nalita rose to accompany me.

When we were outside, she spoke again. “Animals sometimes react
violently to vampires. Gangrels control them with ease, and it is a
skill I can teach you. But I don’t think we want the children with us
if you have to kill one when it attacks.” I agreed.

But we needn’t have worried. Zara’s menagerie was more than happy to
see us. I sighed as I looked at them, and remembered each birthday I’d
presented them. Turtle, dog, then cat. I still couldn’t believe Zara
had asked for a snake, but the python had flourished under her care.
The monkey, the lovebirds that woke me too early too often, the ferret
and the chimpanzee. The sloth from the continent, then the iguana Zara
decided she needed. The tiger I was most worried about, but it only
gave me a nudge with its head, looking for a scratch. The lemurs and
the wallaby just ignored us. “That’s reassuring. We can take them back
with us safely.”

“What about the plague? “

“Animals don’t get sick from the pestilence. No, I don’t know why, but
I have yet to see one that is sick. Now, while we are here, let’s
decide what you want to move into my home. You’ll need clothes,
obviously. And I think you need a few things to help remind you of the
joy you had with Mia and Zara.” The rest we’ll leave for now. And
tonight, you’ll feed on Kiro again.”

I started to object. “No, I realize you don’t need to, but I need to
teach you control. And the sooner I can do that, the safer she’ll be.
You realize, by being in close contact again, she’s going to look to
you for comfort soon.” It took me a moment to realize what Nalita was
implying. “And comfort is something you’re going to need too. I’m sure
you’d rather spend time with her alone, and not having me hovering
over you ready to break your nose again.” I rubbed my nose in
unconscious agreement. “So, we’ll try again. The fact that you aren’t
suffering transitional starvation will help.”

We made our way back to Nalita’s estate, me burdened with clothing,
Nalita carrying a few carefully chosen mementos. And after Kiro and
the twins slept, Nalita led me to their bedchamber, and watched as I
again kissed Kiro’s throat, then pressed my lips against it and fed.
This time, it was wonderful. I drank for a moment, and as I caressed
the wounds with my tongue, I could feel Kiro shiver with delight.

“Much better,” Nalita admitted. “Now, would you be upset if I asked
you to join with me? I know, I shouldn’t ask. You’ve had several
horrible blows to your life. But I still need you. And I loved Mia and
Zara too, and I need to be comforted.”

I could see tears running down her cheeks as she looked at me, and I
realized she was hurting as badly as Kiro and I. I lifted her in my
arms, and carried her to her bedchamber.

We made love slowly. We were each using the other to ease our pain and
loss. And she gave me the companionship I thought I had forever
forsaken that day in the bath.

The following day, we discovered the true horror of the pestilence
that had violated Kasai.

Nalita had managed to awaken me shortly after midday, and we were in
the sitting room when Kirsty entered. “Mistress Nalita. There are
visitors at the gate.”

“Well, do they seem to be ill? If not, let them enter.”

“No, they don’t seem to be ill. Dirty, yes, and a few would qualify as
filthy. Some even seem to have been bitten by animals. Mistress, they
are all children!”

“Children? How many? And where are their parents?”

Kirsty replied. “The gatekeeper said he counted two dozen before
summoning me. And more were approaching. And I could see none that
looked older than fifteen.”

Nalita and I looked at each other in shock. “Goddess, you don’t think
all their parents and older siblings are dead?”

“If they are, we have some very big problems.” I stated. “First, we
will need to see to their welfare. And I’m afraid this bunch is just
the beginning. When word spreads that we offer aid, the rest will
arrive in mobs. And then word is going to spread that Nasai is
unprotected. We’ll see looters and scavengers soon after that. And no
doubt slavers looking for easy pickings. We are going to need help.”

She nodded. “Aye. And you are the one who is going to have to go get
it.”


