Chapter 2

Chapter Two

For the past couple of weeks, Khafil had noticed his Chief seemed distracted. Lately Sarim seemed as if he were elsewhere. One incident came to Khafil’s mind. During a crucial conversation in last week’s council meeting, Sarim had zoned out. The other tribal brothers were awaiting the Sarim’s response to a critical matter before the council. Khafil had to regain his Chief’s attention by sending him a mental summons. He had watched Sarim quietly drift in and out of conversations with members of the Soga Vampire Tribe. Khafil knew how to read his Chief’s every move and thought by scanning Sarim’s facial expressions.

Khafil had been Sarim’s protector since Khafil reached vaperty, the time when a vampire reached adulthood. He had been primed since birth to serve, counsel, and protect the Chief. His father had protected Sarim’s father, and the father before him had been protector to Sarim’s grandfather. Khafil came from a long line of protectors. His family took the responsibility very seriously and followed the principles exactly. His primary responsibility was to be his Abu’s virtual shadow. He traveled with Sarim everywhere. In every council meeting, every hiatus: basically, every encounter Sarim had, Khafil was there.

He had the power to share thoughts with his Chief. When Sarim had supposedly “confidential” meetings or even when his leader had sexual relations, he was there. There was only one drawback to his lifestyle; no one could see him but Sarim and other blood descendants of the Chief’s family. No other vampire knew he existed. He did not have an existence outside of Sarim’s realm. When his Chief’s time ended, he was to become visible to other vampires and could resume a regular life.

Khafil was in tune with all Sarim’s moods and emotions. Chiefs had to have protectors. Mothers were the first protector. After Chiefs reached vaperty, they were taken from their mothers. From that point on, the young Chief belonged to the fathers, or Vahantes, and the council. As the protector, he was the only one who could tell Sarim exactly what he thought. Khafil did not have to color his opinions in the hopes of not riling his superior. He always offered his opinions about Sarim’s plans, attitudes, and other relationships. Khafil’s primary duty in life was his Chief.

He was not allowed to form a personal friendship with Sarim. Doing so could cost Khafil his life and the Abu’s. It would also bring great shame to his family’s name and honor. Developing a friendship would cause Khafil to lose his objectivity. He would not see things clearly for his ruler. His counsel and protection would be to please Sarim instead of protecting him. He was the only vampire Sarim could trust. Khafil was not allowed to betray his Chief. Sarim could read his thoughts if necessary, but Khafil could not directly read Sarim’s. Khafil could not hide intentions of betrayal from his Chief. Besides, he had no interest in killing Sarim. Although he sensed another vampire did. Clearing his head, Khafil watched as Sarim turned to him.

“For the past two months,” Sarim began, “I’ve been experiencing something strange, something I’ve never dealt with before.” He turned and looked Khafil in the eyes. “Even though I know I have your confidence, I need to stress the importance of this remaining between you and me. Therefore, I must forbid you to tell your father or any other family members.” 

“Of course, Sarim. I will not speak of this to anyone,” Khafil answered. He barely struggled to hide the irritation in his voice from having his loyalty questioned.

“I have smelled my child.” Sarim spoke so softly, Khafil barely heard him.

Khafil’s mouth dropped open in shock. “How is this possible, Abu? When did this happen?”

Sarim was expecting Khafil to respond as such. As his protector, he was in Sarim’s presence twenty-four hours, even while Sarim slept. A fact the Abu didn’t know.

“I believe I impregnated a human female while I was in hiatus,” Sarim said, a fierce expression on his face. “I have smelled the scent of the Dalili ever since our winter migration to Varlancia. The scent haunts me, Khafil. It invades my nose even when I rest.”

Kahfil had to keep his jaw from dropping open. How could Sarim have gotten a woman pregnant? He searched his mind. He’d never left Sarim alone ... except for that one night with the human he’d lived with over twenty years ago. Sarim turned abruptly and stared out the window. “I have one more thing for you to do, Khafil.”

“Whatever you ask is my command, great one,” Khafil responded, hastening to his Abu’s side.

“I am glad to hear that, Khafil. I knew your loyalty was uncontested. I must go to the origin of the smell. I can’t rest until I come face to face with this human I am haunted by. This scent could lead me to the solution of my not having an heir. If this person is a woman, she will have to become pregnant by a vampire, and she will have my grandchild. If this person is a male, the dilemma is solved automatically ...”

“You are assuming this person is going to go along with your plan,” Khafil interrupted.

“Their wishes are of no importance. My family needs an heir to continue our rule. An heir this person will be, or supply,” Sarim said. “That’s final.”

“You’re taking too much for granted. What if they have a family and a life of their own? They are not going to leave that for you. This person obviously does not know our ways or we would have heard from them by now. This person owes you nothing, Sarim. I -”

“ENOUGH!” Sarim roared as he stood up. “Are you my protector, or my conscience?”

“I am merely pointing out to you very real possibilities. You can’t go dictating a humvansi, as if he or she owes you something. Even if this person might be the answer to your problems, understand, Sarim, they are not obligated to you at all,” Khafil continued, careful not to raise Sarim’s ire too much, but he had to hear the truth. “And if I were your conscience, you’d be a lot smarter.”

“Knowing how you value your position, Khafil, I’ll overlook your last comment,” Sarim said, frowning. “This humvansi will serve me. That is not the issue now. The real issue is I need you to come on the journey with me. Tell your family that I am looking for possible sanctuaries. Can you do this, Khafil?”

“Of course, Abu.” Khafil gave a thin smile. “I will prepare for us to leave in a week.” 

“Very well, Khafil. Leave me now. I am weary.” 

“As you wish, leader.” Khafil bowed and disappeared.

As soon as Khafil disappeared, Sarim sat down and let out a frustrated sigh. Even though he hated to admit it, Khafil was right. The humvansi he was seeking owed him nothing. The heir could laugh in his face and send him on his merry way. If they did, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Sarim did not like the way the odds were stacked against him. He was in a situation where he couldn’t use his influence or power to get what he wanted. It was against The Code of Ethics to use one’s powers against or to beguile another Taalib Duma, even if the Taalib Duma was the humvansi he created. 

Looking out the window, Sarim noticed the rays of light streaking across the sky. Daybreak was upon him. All his thoughts and questions would have to wait until tonight. He walked to the door to turn out the lights. As soon as he touched the light switch, his ever-efficient protector materialized beside him.

“I assume you are ready, Abu?”

“It would appear so.”

Khafil opened the door for Sarim and followed him out. He would not trade places with his Chief for all the blood in China.