13. BLOOD BROTHERS

BLOOD brOTHERS

C aemorn jolted out of his meditation at the top of the Spire. The throne might be gone, and, truthfully, he didn't think of this room as being his anymore. It had been in many ways a gilded cage. But he found himself able to concentrate here best. All the souls were down below and far away out in the forests.

But now he cursed coming here as he jumped to his feet. Daemon had ordered it. But if he had been with Balthazar this wouldn't have happened. Had the Vampire King known that Balthazar would be jumped by Kaly?

Or had he expected more of Eyros? Or more of me? I was distracting him. And now...

Caemorn shook his head. This was no time for blame or recriminations. He went to the balcony and stared in the direction he knew Balthazar to be. There was just an endless vista of rolling forests. The tops of the trees had an almost velvety look under the twin moons. The urge to jump down and run to the Eyros Vampire had him grasping the stone railing. But he stopped himself.

Not enough time. I cannot even take a moment to look for a Wyvern Vampire here that's been to the Well of All Souls. Damnit!

He had to think like a Kaly-- think like Kaly --and act from where he was. He had been marking where the other forms of his Sire were--some in the Ever Dark cities, every seeming Bloodline--and also, surprisingly, on Earth as well. All of the Vampires that Kaly had taken over though were old and, therefore, powerful. But they all had the Kaly stink on them and seemed twisted in some way. It was like a form of corruption. It fascinated Caemorn on some level as all things dark and deep did, but it also repelled him too. He knew now that he could always identify it.

Of course!

He closed his eyes and concentrated on Kaly's nearest bodies: Moira and Artemis. In moments, he felt where they were. Silver lines connected him to them. But he couldn't remove Kaly from those bodies. Besides, even if he could, while he was attacking one of them, the other would be alerted and hurt Balthazar anyways.

I need to overwhelm them both at the same time.

With the Well of All Souls gone, there were few roaming spirits in the vicinity. But not enough to have any effect on Kaly. His Master would easily dispatch them. This was not a solution. So what? What could he do? Caemorn grimaced as he felt the clock ticking down on Balthazar.

If not spirits then the dead… there must be dead things here… ah!

He found something. Something formidable in the darkest part of a deadfall. A body of a creature he had never seen before. It was massive, likely standing over twenty-feet tall in life. Its face was elongated rather like a horse's and there were antlers on its head that stretched upwards three feet. It had long shaggy hair that surrounded the face like a mane. The body had once been covered in dark short fur. But now the fur was patchy in places and the raw skin was exposed. Insects fed greedily on its insides. The flesh pulsed in places where new life fed on old life.

Perfect. I shall have to bring this back for my collection.

Caemorn whispered the words of summoning. The creature had died either lying down or had simply collapsed into the deadfall. The massive rotting limbs stirred. There was a low moan as the creature put its two gigantic clawed hands on the ground before it and pushed itself upright. Dead tree limbs snapped. Branches caught between its antlers. It struggled to its feet and swayed. Sweat broke out on Caemorn's forehead. He had never summoned from so far away.

Distance is not real. My mind is infinite, he repeated a mantra that, ironically, Artemis had taught him.

A few deep breaths and he took a firmer hold on the creature. He allowed his consciousness to merge with the beast's body. A blue-white light filled the empty eye sockets where maggots squirmed. Caemorn could now see with its eyes.

He brought one of the clawed hands up to his face. Much of the flesh had fallen off but the bone beneath was sound. This creature could do damage. Caemorn had it begin to stride towards where Balthazar and Kaly fought. The creature's head was above the tops of the trees so he could see the clearing around where the Well of All Souls had been.

Balthazar was on his back. Moira's teeth were at his throat. But more than that. She was feeding on his soul. She couldn't pull it out. But she was draining him. Balthazar pushed her off. She staggered backwards and almost immediately her hands were at her temples as if a massive headache were coming upon her. Caemorn imagined Balthazar tried to grab her mind at that moment.

But then Artemis was on top of the Eyros Vampire. Artemis was pounding his fists into Balthazar's face and upper torso. Moira's hands dropped from her temples and she dashed forward, arms stretched wide, fingers curled into claws. At the same time Balthazar must have caught Artemis' mind for, suddenly, Artemis rolled off of Balthazar and tackled Moira. She went down heavily onto her back, letting out a scream of surprise and pain as Kaly proceeded to pound her like he had been pounding Balthazar.

Balthazar sat up shakily. His face was pale as milk. His eyes were glassy and dazed looking. His clothes were a mess. There was blood at his collar and blood oozing out of his nose. Caemorn could almost feel the Eyros Vampire's vague annoyance at being dirty while his mind spun sickly from being drained.

Balthazar turned his attention back to the other Vampires. He likely was going to take over Moira's mind again yet somehow she managed to oil out from beneath Artemis. She kicked Artemis in the face and the Kaly Vampire's head snapped back. He hung there, looking almost suspended on wires, before he collapsed like a fallen tree. Balthazar let out a sharp cry as their mind link must have been severed. Artemis lay there, unmoving, and clearly heavily injured in the grass.

Before Balthazar could clear his head enough to take over her mind, Moira was on top of him again, worrying at his throat and draining his life force. Balthazar flailed beneath her. But Balthazar's movements were not as strong as before. They were growing weaker.

Time to step in.

Everyone had been so focused on each other, they hadn't noticed the lumbering monster that was approaching at a good clip. Caemorn had the monster shove through the trees that ringed the clearing. It left deep imprints in the grass as it stormed towards the two Vampires. Moira looked up, but only at the last moment.

Her mouth was wet with blood. It looked black in the moonlight. The whites of her eyes showed as he had the monster reach down and pluck her off of Balthazar's weakly struggling form. She hissed and spat at him. Caemorn felt Kaly trying to take control of the monster's body from him.

"You're no match for me, fledgling!" Kaly cried in Moira's voice. She sounded drunk on Balthazar's blood and life force.

Really? Let's see about that. You cannot use your gifts if you are not conscious.

Caemorn had the monster bash her on the side of the head. She went limp in the creature's massive hand. Like Artemis, she, too, was unconscious.

Balthazar was sitting up again, but unsteadily. One hand was at his throat. Blood trickled between his fingers as he was not healing quickly. Yet almost immediately Caemorn felt the probe of his mind powers. And despite his evident weakness, Balthazar blasted him. Caemorn was almost thrown out of the creature's mind.

Balthazar! Balthazar, stop!

There was a terrible wail in Caemorn's head. A high pitched whine that almost had him losing control of the creature entirely. It went down onto one kneel, beginning to fall back into full death. His view through the creature's eyes narrowed to a dark tunnel.

Stop, Eyros! Caemorn yelled. It's me! It's Caemorn!

The psychic wail in his head abruptly did stop. The silence was almost deafening. He felt like he might vomit.

Oh, damnit, Caemorn! Balthazar cried in a voice that sounded rather distant. Not as focused as before. What is that thing you're… you're wearing? Are you wearing it?

I'm driving it. Sort of like how Kaly is driving those bodies, but less deeply, Caemorn answered him. That does not matter now! You are injured!

Balthazar grunted and kept on as if he hadn't said the last, Well, it's probably best you're not wearing it because it smells horrific. I mean it really smells like death… Balthazar removed the hand from his throat, but blood still flowed. He slapped it back on the wound. The whole front of his clothes was now covered in a dark stain. I think I'm close to that as well. Kaly did something--

Soul Drain! That's all it is. You can recover. But you need to feed and--and drink from her! Caemorn thrust Moira's body at Balthazar.

Drinking from a Vampire not one's Sire had less beneficial effects than drinking from a human. The blood was not as nutritious, not as charged, as human blood was. But it would stem the bleeding, hopefully, until Balthazar could be moved back to the Spire. Balthazar attempted to stand. He managed to get one leg underneath him before he swayed forward, flat on his face. He did not move. He was unconscious.

No! Balthazar, no!

Caemorn had the creature turn Balthazar over on his back. How to help him? He needed blood. There was only one way to do this. It would be messy, but, then again, Balthazar was already a mess.

Using one of the creature's massive claws, Caemorn neatly slit Moira's throat open from ear to ear. She made a gurgling sound. Well, this would be one last body for Kaly to inhabit. He aimed the gush of blood at Balthazar's face. Crimson blood poured over Balthazar's lips, cheeks and chin. His eyes and lips remained closed. There was a snort as he breathed in some of the blood.

No! Open your mouth, Balthazar!

But the Eyros Vampire was not conscious to do so. Using the point of one claw, Caemorn gently opened Balthazar's lips. The blood poured into the Eyros Vampire's mouth. Nothing happened for a moment, then Balthazar's throat started moving and he was swallowing every single last gush of blood. It seemed all too soon when the last of Moira's blood drained out of her and into Balthazar. But Balthazar still seemed weak. He let out a soft moan once the blood finished.

Balthazar?! Balthazar?! You need to wake up! Drink from her!

But still Balthazar remained in this strange dreamy state. Where am I? What's going on? My head is floating off from my body, Balthazar said and laughed.

Moira's blood had helped. But not entirely. It had just repaired some of the worse damage. But Balthazar's soul was only tenuously clinging to this form.

Balthazar, you cannot give up! Do you hear me? Caemorn insisted. You need to hold on for Christian. He cannot survive without you.

Balthazar's eyes opened slightly wider and they seemed to focus for a moment. Christian… I won't leave Christian. What… What is wrong with me?

Kaly destabilized your soul and drained your body. You need more blood. Human blood, Caemorn realized. A lot of it.

Not many humans in this part of the Ever Dark, Balthazar pointed out.

None at all. But there are at the Spire. I just need to get you back here, Caemorn told him.

That sounds about right. But how? Fiona isn't here, Balthazar murmured as his eyelids started to close again.

She isn't the only Wyvern Vampire here. And there are many who know the Well of All Souls in the Order.

Oh… good, because I don't think I can walk there.

And not even this creature can run there in time. Balthazar! Caemorn shouted sharply as he saw Balthazar's eyelids close. You must hang on! I will come get you! Just hang on!

Caemorn opened his eyes, even as he kept control of the creature. His vision swam for a moment as he saw both places at once. He grimaced and forced himself to focus on his own vision. Then he threw himself off of the Spire and landed in a half crouch on the ground.

What would have shocked humans caused not the slightest stir among the Vampires. Such a feat was nothing for his kind. He straightened up. He cast around, looking for someone from the Order who was a Wyvern and who had been to the Well of All Souls. It was not a secret place exactly. Many of the Order knew of it. But few were allowed to go. Yet he had taken a few of the very faithful there, ironically, including Arcius.

I need to find one of Arcius' followers. I ran most of them off. But some may have returned to the Spire since Daemon used Armageddon and made this ground zero for the new Order.

His eyes ran over the Vampires that flowed past them, eagerly chatting about Daemon's return, and how things were going to be different and wonderful and just as had been foretold .

They still believe, even though the Order was a complete fabrication by Kaly. Good grief.

These same people started and stared at him. He was like a rock in the river that everyone nervously flowed around. They weren't sure how to deal with him. Was he on their side? Or still the evil bastard they had known?

Both.

That was when he saw Kurtz. Kurtz was a Wyvern Vampire. He was a stocky man in his mid-fifties. Or that was how he appeared. He was, in truth, over five-hundred-years-old, had bushy eyebrows and still wore his Confessor robes. He had been on a list to be removed from the Order. Caemorn was going to accuse him of sacrilege, because he had known that Kurtz was a true believer, but not a believer in him and, therefore, Kaly. They were not friends.

"Kurtz!" Caemorn called as he jogged over to the Wyvern Vampire. He felt the air stir and guessed Kurtz was about to teleport away from him. "Wait! Balthazar-- Eyros --is in danger! I need you to take me to the Well of All Souls!"

Kurtz paused in mid-motion. He narrowed his eyes at Caemorn and snorted. "Are you expecting me to believe that you are helping Balthazar ?"

"I am." Caemorn skidded to a stop in front of him. He wanted to grab the man and--if only he had Eyros' powers--he could have made Kurtz take him. His vision flickered to the creature's. Balthazar's eyes were closing again.

Hang on, Balthazar! Don't give Kaly the satisfaction of killing you again!

Damn you, Caemorn, Balthazar chuckled feebly. You know just where my soft spots are.

Yes, and I am going to poke the living hell out of them to keep you here! Caemorn told him.

Kurtz's lips writhed back from his teeth. "You should be in a cage!"

Caemorn narrowed his eyes at him. "I serve King Daemon. Just like you. He trusts me to be here."

But why is he not here now to save Balthazar? Why did he leave us alone? He must have known this would happen, Caemorn thought.

"You've always served whoever you thought could promote you. Our king will not. You were never a believer. You twisted the Order to your own purpose--"

"Fine! Yes! True! All true! And I served Kaly, my Sire!" Caemorn blurted out. "But no longer! And if you do not help me, Balthazar may have his Second Death!"

He had a moment of dizziness as the view from the creature's eyes subsumed his own. The world kept flickering between the two places. And then he smelled the creature.

Balthazar was right. I smell dead...

Kurtz scowled. "I do not believe you!"

Everything is dim, Caemorn. Is this what death is like? Balthazar asked. I cannot remember the other time this happened.

You are NOT dying! Christian needs you!

My Christian. I love him more than… more than anything, you know? Balthazar said.

Yes, I know. And you will be with him forever. HOLD ON!

"KURTZ! You will do as I say or I will strip your soul from your body and make that body do a jig! I need to save my Blood Brother!" Caemorn snarled.

Kurtz's eyes went huge. But it wasn't from the threats, but from the Blood Brother statement. "What do you mean--"

"Please, Kurtz! Please!" That last word was agony to say normally--he had not said it in a long time--but he meant it now.

Please is the magic word , he thought nearly hysterically.

Kurtz slowly nodded. He extended a hand. Caemorn took it. They teleported to Balthazar's side. Kurtz jerked back when he saw the creature that Caemorn had summoned. It truly was hideous and terrifying.

Definitely museum material!

"You were not lying," Kurtz sounded almost shocked by the fact.

"No, I was not!" Caemorn gritted his teeth. His lack of truthfulness in the past would cause this to happen again and again. He would have to earn people's trust from the ground up. "Now, Kurtz, teleport the three of us back to the Spire, directly to where the humans are being kept!"

Kurtz moved to touch Balthazar's form when Caemorn heard a faint moan from Artemis. He had totally forgotten about him.

"Wait!" Caemorn shouted. He dashed over and picked up Kaly's body and brought him over to Balthazar's side. "Now, take us all."

Just before they teleported, Caemorn released the creature. The body toppled over. He would come back for it later. Right now he needed all of his focus. Kurtz gripped the three of them and there was that sickening lurch as they teleported. They were not in the same area that they had left from, but by the dormitories where the humans were being kept.

"Teleport him," Caemorn indicated to Artemis, "into the dungeon beneath the Spire. Do it quickly."

Kurtz nodded with alacrity. He and the still unconscious Kaly disappeared. Caemorn then picked up Balthazar, cradling the other Vampire in his arms, and stormed into the dormitory. He marched over to the first room that contained a human. She stood up nervously.

"You need to feed him. All you can give," Caemorn told her.

She gave a brief nod. He set Balthazar on the bed. But he didn't step back. Instead, he kept a hand on Balthazar's shoulder and… reached for his soul. Balthazar's head shot towards him. Their eyes met and Caemorn felt Balthazar read every thought in his head. A widening of Balthazar's eyes was followed by a faint smile.

"This is why…" Balthazar's voice was whispery soft as the woman offered his wrist to him.

"What is why?" Caemorn asked.

Balthazar licked papery dry lips. "Daemon knew…"

"Knew?"

"That we… oh, God, I cannot believe I'm saying this--"

"You are always talking. You need to feed. This conversation can--"

"That we need each other," Balthazar interrupted him.

Caemorn froze. He thought of what he had said to Kurtz, about Balthazar being his Blood Brother, about his own desperation to keep Balthazar alive. He hadn't once thought of being blamed for Balthazar's death or of any glory he'd receive by saving the other Vampire. No, he had just… wanted to save him. Had to save him.

Balthazar drew the woman's wrist to his lips and started to drink. Caemorn fed some of his own energy into Balthazar to anchor his soul more firmly in his body.

In his mind, he heard Balthazar say, Daemon really is king.

To bring us together? Caemorn snorted. He really is a god.