no, I performed the departure ritual.
But it was all right, since I wanted to die, and now I obtained my true wish. Still, it seemed fucking stupid to finally understand life only to lose it so quickly. Athan failed me, yeah, he failed me just like everyone else in my dismal life. Obviously playing the abandon Stewart game proved damned popular.
As I succumbed, I settled into the sudden darkness and floated free.
Yet as I drifted into an odd nimbus, a sensation, ahhh, it felt like powerful hands gripping me, shoved my shoulders and forced me back. The same thrilling ecstasy lashed through me and guided me backward, do not pass into death, do not give in. Do not doubt.
Apparently Athan was one detail-oriented vampire.
But why did he let me live?
*
I awoke surrounded by bleak, ancient machinery and deadly white walls. No. Fuck no! Needles attached to tubes threaded into my left arm. Numbers detailing my health pulsed on a mobile bed side unit. Wrong, so wrong. I needed to escape back to Agapios. The urgency attacked me. Escape! My trembling fingers finally pushed the call button.
A young nurse entered and smiled in greeting. She managed to look comforting, frightened and sincere. What an accomplished actress. “Lord Barlow, how do you feel?”
Like I wanted to escape from this medicinal hell, but instead I managed a faint smile. “Much better, thank you.”
“Unfortunately you suffered another stroke, a minor one, but you need to be monitored for any further problems. The doctor will help you make arrangements on where you wish to recover; we’re too small to help you in case of, well, something more serious.”
How I managed not to scream eluded me. My voice uttered polite words. “I see.” Yes, I understood I needed to escape before Samuel heard about my stroke and trapped me in yet another hospital hell far away from here. I needed to remain close to my special island. I needed to remain close to Athan’s power.
I needed Athan to heal me. He needed to heal me into eternity. After he healed me, we would make Agapios our undying home. The island wanted us there. Agapios fed on love and we would supply the demand.
The nurse cocked her head toward the door. A few black curls shifted against her graceful neck. So pretty. “Your aunt Korina and cousin Athan want to see you. The poor woman is beside herself with grief so we allowed her to stay although it’s almost morning. Can I send her in?”
Thrilled joy coursed through my itching skin. “Yes, please, send my dear Aunt and Cousin in for a visit.”
The nurse left, then Korina edged around the door. My glorious Athan hovered at her shoulder. His marvelous eyes conveyed his joy to me.
They both smiled in anticipation. Korina stepped forward. Her rough hand stroked my cheek. “You returned my Athan to me. Bless you.”
My drug-clouded mind tried to understand. “How?”
Athan sighed in remorse. “I feared my dear aunt’s rejection but she understands me. I should have come to her and let her know my situation. I feel shamed to underestimate her love. She will protect us, Stewart.” He stared into my eyes. “Will you let me heal you?”
“Please. Please tell me what I need to do.”
His adoring smile conquered me. “You need to live until you understand life. You need to use your fortune to nourish others. One day after a final, defining moonrise, we shall connect in everlasting paradise, a paradise anchored on our amazing island. Do you understand? If you willfully plunge off that calling cliff, you will end up like me, waiting for someone to invite us into their life. I won’t be able to save you. If you kill yourself, you sentence us both to wander the island because Agapios refuses to reward those who deny life. This island owns strict rules. Do you accept the rules?” Athan stroked my hair. “A little longer, then we embrace eternity together. Can you be patient?”
I nodded in eager obedience. “For our eternity, yes. I will tell my
But it was all right, since I wanted to die, and now I obtained my true wish. Still, it seemed fucking stupid to finally understand life only to lose it so quickly. Athan failed me, yeah, he failed me just like everyone else in my dismal life. Obviously playing the abandon Stewart game proved damned popular.
As I succumbed, I settled into the sudden darkness and floated free.
Yet as I drifted into an odd nimbus, a sensation, ahhh, it felt like powerful hands gripping me, shoved my shoulders and forced me back. The same thrilling ecstasy lashed through me and guided me backward, do not pass into death, do not give in. Do not doubt.
Apparently Athan was one detail-oriented vampire.
But why did he let me live?
*
I awoke surrounded by bleak, ancient machinery and deadly white walls. No. Fuck no! Needles attached to tubes threaded into my left arm. Numbers detailing my health pulsed on a mobile bed side unit. Wrong, so wrong. I needed to escape back to Agapios. The urgency attacked me. Escape! My trembling fingers finally pushed the call button.
A young nurse entered and smiled in greeting. She managed to look comforting, frightened and sincere. What an accomplished actress. “Lord Barlow, how do you feel?”
Like I wanted to escape from this medicinal hell, but instead I managed a faint smile. “Much better, thank you.”
“Unfortunately you suffered another stroke, a minor one, but you need to be monitored for any further problems. The doctor will help you make arrangements on where you wish to recover; we’re too small to help you in case of, well, something more serious.”
How I managed not to scream eluded me. My voice uttered polite words. “I see.” Yes, I understood I needed to escape before Samuel heard about my stroke and trapped me in yet another hospital hell far away from here. I needed to remain close to my special island. I needed to remain close to Athan’s power.
I needed Athan to heal me. He needed to heal me into eternity. After he healed me, we would make Agapios our undying home. The island wanted us there. Agapios fed on love and we would supply the demand.
The nurse cocked her head toward the door. A few black curls shifted against her graceful neck. So pretty. “Your aunt Korina and cousin Athan want to see you. The poor woman is beside herself with grief so we allowed her to stay although it’s almost morning. Can I send her in?”
Thrilled joy coursed through my itching skin. “Yes, please, send my dear Aunt and Cousin in for a visit.”
The nurse left, then Korina edged around the door. My glorious Athan hovered at her shoulder. His marvelous eyes conveyed his joy to me.
They both smiled in anticipation. Korina stepped forward. Her rough hand stroked my cheek. “You returned my Athan to me. Bless you.”
My drug-clouded mind tried to understand. “How?”
Athan sighed in remorse. “I feared my dear aunt’s rejection but she understands me. I should have come to her and let her know my situation. I feel shamed to underestimate her love. She will protect us, Stewart.” He stared into my eyes. “Will you let me heal you?”
“Please. Please tell me what I need to do.”
His adoring smile conquered me. “You need to live until you understand life. You need to use your fortune to nourish others. One day after a final, defining moonrise, we shall connect in everlasting paradise, a paradise anchored on our amazing island. Do you understand? If you willfully plunge off that calling cliff, you will end up like me, waiting for someone to invite us into their life. I won’t be able to save you. If you kill yourself, you sentence us both to wander the island because Agapios refuses to reward those who deny life. This island owns strict rules. Do you accept the rules?” Athan stroked my hair. “A little longer, then we embrace eternity together. Can you be patient?”
I nodded in eager obedience. “For our eternity, yes. I will tell my
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