Chapter 2

I forced the pestle against the herbs I’d carefully placed within the stone mortar with shaky hands.  My lessons were more important than ever now that I was to become Verso Witch, yet I couldn’t focus on them as I should.  My mind raced and my nerves were in overdrive. When Sybil married me off to Prince Charles, she’d secured my position as the queen of Vampire Land.  Since I was still learning the political pros and cons of such a position, it meant little to me, but to Geo and Luthias it was an important position to hold. Now, only weeks after I’d delivered my son, I was expected to dive into the duties of queen of not only Charles’s vampire kingdom, but my mother’s mutant-vampire kingdom as well.  I found it burdensome, overwhelming, and intimidating. 

The position of Verso Witch was so much more my style. I knew about magic and healing.  I’d been raised around the healing aspect all of my life and I took to the magical side of things like a fish to water, despite the vampire obstruction.  I was still adjusting to being a vampire as well as learning how to use my magic to its fullest.  I didn’t want to stop my lessons.  My exposure to Sybil’s mutant-vampire world was minimal, and even less to Charles’s vampires. How could I rule kingdoms I knew nothing about and even despised? Surely there were others better suited for the positions.

“Easy there, lass,” Gwendoline said as she laid her hand over mine to help steady it. “We don’t want to pulverize the Boswellia, just bruise it.”

“I can’t be a ruler,” I said as I dropped the pestle into the mortar and paced around the small table. “I’m not cut out to rule a kingdom of vampires, let alone those vile mutants. I haven’t even named my baby yet.”

“Have ye thought of any names?” she asked gently.

“I wanted to discuss them with Geo, but the one time we were together grandfather interrupted us before I could broach the subject,” I said.

“That’s good of ye,” she said with a smile.

“He is the baby’s father,” I retorted.

“Easy there,” she said with a chuckle, “I’m not the enemy.”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly.  “My nerves are out of control.”

“Your body’s pretty well adjusted to being a vampire,” she offered.  “Now that ye have a handle on the blood urge, ye should be fine in that department.”  She picked up the pestle and gently started moving it around the mortar.  “I’m no expert with delivering babies, but I’m guessing ye did fine with that as well.  You’re completely healed, are ye not?”   When I nodded, she continued, “What’s ailing ye now is your fear of the unknown. That’s all.”

“I’m being asked to walk into a den full of vampires -who have the power to kill me, by the way- and take command,” I practically whined.  “How do you even know they’ll accept me, let alone let me lead them?”

“Your marriage consummation was witnessed,” she said.

“Don’t remind me,” I said; a little more aggressively than necessary.

“What did I miss?” my grandmother asked with raised brows as she entered the room.  Her long, slender arms were laden with fresh cut lavender.

“We were just discussing Casey’s new duties as Queen of Prince Vogel’s vampire kingdom,” Gwendoline offered.

“I can’t do it,” I said as I dropped, unceremoniously, down onto one of the chairs that surrounded the table and rested my head on my folded arms in defeat.

“Nonsense,” my grandmother said as she carefully placed the bundle of lavender on the table near me. “What makes you think such a thing?”

“I’d say my decision making track record hasn’t been ideal so far,” I mumbled into my arms as I pulled the fresh scent of lavender as best I could through my nostrils and into my lungs without lifting my head.

“So, you let Geo and Luthias guide you,” grandmother offered. “If I’m not mistaken, Luthias spent a great deal of time with those vampires and Geo with your mother. Surely they can give you aid and advice on matters; especially since they’re already leaders of a kingdom that seems to be running quite smoothly.”

“Geo’s in charge,” I corrected grandmother.

“With Luthias second in command,” Gwendoline emphasized. “If ye think Geo runs this kingdom alone, ye are sorely mistaken.”

“You see,” grandmother smiled, “You won’t be alone, dear. The two males who profess to love you will be there for you every step of the way.”

“Who’s going to care for my son?” I asked, hoping they hadn’t thought of an answer and would be forced to concede and agree that I needed to stay put.

“Why, we will, of course,” my grandmother said brightly.  “Don’t you think for one minute that little boy will go without the best care available from his grandparents.”

“Grandmother and great grandparents,” Gwendoline said mischievously.

“I stand corrected,” my grandmother said with a sly smile to show her old friend she had no intention of being baited into friendly teasing.

“I love you,” I said with tearing eyes. When both women raised their eyebrows in surprise I added, “I don’t know what’s gotten into me.  I seem to be sentimental and weepy lately.”

“‘Tis the hormones,” Gwendoline offered.

“I agree,” my grandmother said. “Give yourself a little time.  You’ll soon be back to your old self.”

“I’ll never be back to my old self,” I said as I stopped fighting the tears and allowed them to flow.  “I’m a vampire now.  I’ll never be my old self again.”

“I thought ye wanted to be a vampire,” Gwendoline said with concern.

“I did... I do,” I mumbled.  “See, I’m weepy for no reason.”

“Hormones,” Gwendoline said with surety.

“Hormones,” my grandmother added with a brisk nod.

“Hormones,” I sighed as I stood up and made myself busy by separating the lavender my grandmother just brought in. “Raging hormones.”

“The worst kind,” Luthias said as he strode into the room and kissed Gwendoline on the cheek before putting his arm around her small waist and pulling her close to him.  “Are we ready?”

“Nothing’s been planned yet,” Gwendoline said abruptly.

“What are you waiting for?” Geo asked as he followed Luthias into the room.

“What plans?” I asked.

“We need to leave as soon as possible,” Luthias said gently.

“I’ve only recently given birth,” I snapped.

“I’m afraid your people won’t consider that an excuse,” Geo said gently.

“I’ve hardly recovered!” I bawled.

“Her hormones are raging,” Luthias explained softly.

“Maybe that will give her the oomph she needs for the task at hand,” Geo said as he walked to the window and pulled the curtains aside.

“What are you looking for?” I asked.

“He does that when he’s anxious,” Gwendoline said.

“Will someone please catch me up?” my grandmother asked.  “Are there plans for travel that we should be making?”

“Luthias and Casey,” Geo said, while still looking out the window. “Just Luthias and Casey.”

“What?” I howled.

“I can’t go,” Geo said as he looked at me with the saddest brown eyes one could ever imagine. “I’m known to Charles’s vampires as the king of Verso.  Luthias infiltrated and lived amongst them while serving Prince Vogel for several years.  He’s well known and, as far as they are concerned, he has no connection to Verso.”

“Are you completely certain?” my grandmother asked firmly.

“Not completely,” Geo continued, “but he’s the best we’ve got... unless you would prefer Abigail go with her.”

“Oh, hell no!” I exclaimed.

“I thought not,” Geo said softly.  “It is important that Casey have someone near her to advise her on the traditions and expectations of these vampires, as well as with the choices she’ll be making if we end up going to war with Bartholomew.”

“Will it come to that?” I asked with trepidation.

“It’s highly possible,” Luthias said with a slow shake of his head.

“I can’t lead vampires to war.  I don’t know anything about war or being a queen,” I whined as I walked toward Geo.  I stopped just feet in front of him and looked into his eyes.  “I can’t even come up with a name for our son.”

“Braedon,” he said as he took my chin in his hand and kissed my nose. “I’ve always favored that name.”

“Braedon,” I whispered.  “It’s nice.”

“Braedon Brennus,” Gwendoline said with a smile.  “It rolls off the tongue nice and smooth.”

“That it does,” Luthias agreed.  “That’s a fine name, brother.”

Gwendoline and Geo exchanged looks, as if silently communicating, for a brief moment before she looked away.  My curiosity lasted only a second or two because when Gwendoline looked away from Luthias she looked directly at me.  There was a mysterious look in her eyes.  My first thought was the fact that I knew her secret. Luthias used the term brother with Geo.   If he only knew how accurate a term that was. I disagreed with my dear friend and mentor about keeping the truth from them. I felt it was their right to know they were half-brothers and not simply cousins who were raised as brothers, but it wasn’t my secret to tell. So, I pursed my lips to prevent them from spilling the truth on their own and reveled in the sensation of my body reacting to the light kiss my nose received from Geo; as well as the nearness of him.

“Other than your raging hormones -which could be simply the vampire side of you coming to fruition- you have healed nicely, haven’t you?” Geo asked.

“Completely,” I said with a satisfied smile.

“Then there is nothing to stop you from leaving right away,” he said firmly.

“Other than the fact that I’d be leaving my new born son behind and that I don’t want to go,” I said.

“My dear girl,” my grandmother said as she approached me and hugged my shoulders.  “You are now a queen of two vampire kingdoms.  Whether you asked to be so or not, it is the way things are.  It is also Braedon’s legacy that you hold in your hands.  Would you deny your son his rightful inheritance?”

“Can’t he just be happy with inheriting Verso?” I asked with earnest dismay.

“There may be no Verso to inherit if ye don’t go and get those vampires under control,” Gwendoline offered boldly. “They have a powerful magic man on their side who managed to locate and infiltrate Verso.  I put a new cloak around it, but I can’t guarantee he won’t penetrate it again; especially now that he knows our location.  If ye don’t keep those vampires in line, there is no telling what they will do to Verso.”

“They aren’t keen on our policy of drinking animal blood instead of human blood,” Luthias explained. “More than once I heard conversations about their disdain for it.  They believe it’s unnatural.  They find us almost as offensive as they do the mutant-vampires.”

“We need you to gain control of Vogel’s vampires as quickly as you can.  Luthias will stay close by you,” Geo interjected. “Once you are successful with that, I will assist you with your mother’s kingdom.”

“This is insane,” I groaned as I place my fingertips over my temples and massaged them lightly.

“This is necessary,” Gwendoline said firmly.

I looked from Gwendoline, to my grandmother, to Luthias, and then to Geo.  There was no avoiding it.  They were all in agreement.  Whether I liked it or not, I was to assume my duties as vampire queen immediately.

“I’m not budging until I fully comprehend how you will care for Braedon,” I said stubbornly.

“’Tis understandable,” Gwendoline said.

“It certainly is,” my grandmother emphasized for Geo and Luthias’s benefit. “It can’t be easy to be such a new mother and separated from your child.”

“You’re right there,” I scowled.

I know she was sympathizing with me, but at that moment I didn’t want anyone’s empathy or sympathy.  I just wanted to be left alone.

 We spent the next few hours discussing and planning Braedon’s care, as well as my mission with Luthias at my side.  I was not only apprehensive about assuming my role of vampire queen to vampires of an entirely different nature and thought process than the ones I knew and loved, but being so closely dependent on Luthias would more than likely prove taxing if I wasn’t able to tame my libido whenever he came around.   I’d made my mind up to choose Geo when the time came.  There was no confusion there.  Geo was the father of my son and that was that. If only my libido would catch up with my mind.

Knowing how strongly Geo felt about monogamy, I questioned his reasoning for placing me in a position where I’d be thrown so closely together with his rival. Would I be able to resist Luthias’s sexual pull?  Geo had to know it would be a challenge.  I concluded that the situation was just that serious; otherwise I was certain he’d never agree to it.

As we were breaking up our little meeting, Gwendoline pulled me aside and asked me to stay behind to speak with her privately.  Although I’m sure they were curious about what she had to say, the others politely continued out of the room.  When we were finally alone, she spoke.

“Ye aren’t completely comfortable with your vampirism,” she began. “’Tis not something we’ve focused on enough.  Had I realized ye would be called away so soon, I might have done things differently.”

“I’m glad we concentrated on my magic and my baby’s health,” I said softly.  “I feel better entering Charles’s world knowing I’m armed with magic.”

“Ye can’t let them know about the magic,” she said briskly.  When I gasped in confused surprise she continued, “There is a powerful witch in their midst. If he discovers ye are magical, there is no telling what he’ll do.  Witches are territorial.  Besides, ‘tis always nice to have an ace up your sleeve.”

“That’s an odd saying,” I giggled. “What does it mean?”

“’Tis an old saying.  ‘Tis something card players used to con the other players and give them the win,” she mused.

“Card playing?” I questioned.

“Cards playing is before your time,” she said patiently.  “They are rectangular pieces of thin cardboard with numbers and images on them.”

“Do you mean Tarot?” I asked. “I read something about them.”

“Sort of,” she replied, “but not quite.  They are called playing cards. There have been a variety of games created for their use. They stopped being produced when trees were threatened and computers rendered them unnecessary.  Now that the planet is regaining its natural self, someone might just bring them back.  I’m fairly certain Geo has a few decks at his palace.  When this is over, I’ll have him introduce ye to a game or two.”

“The wars took so much more from us than just our planet’s vegetation,” I mused.

“Aye, that they did, lass,” she replied. After a brief moment of silence and private moments of mourning over lost cultures, she revealed her reasoning for having me stay behind to talk to her in private.  “I want ye to understand and keep in mind that your body is no longer going to behave as it did before ye turned.  Ye are a vampire now.  If ye recall, I explained that vampires are highly sexual creatures.  Sexual promiscuity amongst non-committed vampires is quite normal -and expected- in vampire kingdoms.  Add living in such an environment to your own body’s urges and then throw Luthias into the mix and... well... I think ye understand what I’m saying.”

“I’m surprised Geo is going along with this,” I said flatly.

“He has no choice,” she explained. “He has the weight of the kingdom of Verso on his shoulders. This type of responsibility often requires sacrifice. If the outside vampires return with their magic man, there is certain to be a battle.  There is a lot of hate and prejudice from them toward vampires who refrain from human blood.  They consider them one step above the mutant -vampires.  Verso can’t afford to be weakened by another battle so close to the one we just experienced. Word reached us from Geo’s people outside Verso. Bartholomew is launching a campaign to wipe out all humanoids who aren’t pure, healthy humans. There will be a genocide of all weak and sickly humans before he turns to the mutants.  When he’s done with the mutants, he’ll target vampires and other supernatural creatures.  Pure vampire or mutant-vampire, it makes no difference.  He’s on a mission to rid the world of all humanoid species who aren’t pure and healthy humans and that’s that. Geo has no choice but to let ye go and do what needs to be done to unite Charles’s kingdom with Verso.  As a result of the recent battle, he is known to them as the ruler of Verso. Luthias is not. Plus, Luthias has lived amongst them.  It makes sense that he should attend ye.  When ye succeed, Geo will take ye to your mother’s kingdom so ye can finish what he starts there.”

“I have no intention of saving those vile creatures.  I agree with Charles and Bartholomew.  They’re an abomination and should be wiped off the earth,” I said.  “Bartholomew is welcome to them.”

“Verso vampires don’t like mutant-vampires any more than Charles’s vampires do, but having them on our side makes sense,” she scolded. “There is strength in numbers.  Unfortunately, right now the numbers are on Bartholomew’s side.  We can’t afford to lose one vampire; be they pure vampire or mutant.... Not one.”

“Of all the things I’m being asked to do, going back into that disgusting world is the hardest,” I moaned.

“Well, ye can worry about that later,” she said soothingly.  “Let’s focus on one vampire kingdom at a time.”