1986One month before the last chapter.Panama City Beach, Florida"Baby, I do not want you to leave, it is just; well he wants to be a dad and Camille is his last chance." Linda looked up from the chair to her daughter knowing the fight was already over. "Fine, take her and go before he comes home. I know you were looking for a place, near the beach, and I saw a "for rent" sign near the boardwalk today. So," Linda smiled, handing her daughter a number she had scribbled on a sheet of paper. "I called, Mae will be expecting you.""Thanks, mom," Oshey said leaning down to kiss her mom's cheek. Oshey smiled as she headed for the teal Saturn parked on the curve. The beach was where she always wanted to be. She had just signed a contract with a new band and had planned on a CD launch next month in Albany, Georgia at the Civic Center. Oshey could now afford to try life on her own.The boardwalk area was always crowded at this time of day, with tourists heading to town for the shops. Since O
*Author Note*I realize that in our reality cellphones and computers were not prevalent in 1986. But this is a work of function in a supernatural realm and not reality so there are mentions of advanced technology.~~~1986Oshey drove back across town. The small red Ford Escort was packed full of boxes and crates. She pulled into the parking area looking up at her door. "Home, " Oshey mumbled, climbing the steps carrying a semi-heavy box. The door next to her apartment opened and Alex walked out wiping his hands on a dish towel that hung over his shoulder."Hey," Oshey said, dropping the box to her feet and fishing out the keys. "Would you mind?" She said, tossing him the key ring and picking the box back up. “I still am not sure how to unlock the truck lock."Not at all,” Alex walked a few feet and fumbled with the door.Oshey smelled the air walking into her apartment. "Your friend must be a good cook, it smells wonderful."Alex blushed as he held the door open. "He can be w
Old FriendsOshey jumped at the sound of her phone. "Hello," she had been sleeping hard and the sound of her voice betrayed how tired she was. Having stayed up late with Alex took its toll on her.The whining sound of the engine could be heard in the background along with the mutters of people wanting to get off the plane. Honestly, Cornell was used to this by now and didn't mind being the last one off. "Hey Shey, we're here, finally." He groaned. "Have I told you how much I hate turbulence over the ocean?"Oshey scrambled looking at the clock next to her mattress. It was already 7:00 a.m. and she forgot about the time change. "Not since that vacation we took to Bermuda." She sat up rubbing her eyes. "Okay, let me throw some clothes on, I'll meet you at your hotel?"A rather crooked grin passed his face, "Yeah, that might be a good idea." He laughed, a sound she knew to be filled with mischievousness. "Anyhow, meeting me at the hotel sound's good. I got enough sleep on the flight
1986"Damn, you have a private beach. You know Shey that rocks. I could get used to living in a place like this." Cornell said, locking his fingers with his."That is what I thought as well. I fell in love with this place. I have the coolest landlord and the most awesome neighbor. Cammie loves it here as well. I kind of fell into it.” Oshey brought his hand to her lips. “The rent isn't that bad either." Oshey knew she had to stop this. “Come on, I will show you around.”Oshey stepped from the car and led Cornell to the apartment steps. Deep down she knew Cornell was dangerous for her. They had been close since the moment they met. Being with Cornell stopped the dreams of wolves and monsters.Cornell looked into her eyes trying to capture every inch of her. "How much do these digs run you?" he asked, climbing the stairs with her."Would you believe $200.00 a month? I was all like yeah, I'll take it. It was a no-brainer.” Oshey gave a playful smile."Damn girl I would
Present Day"Natalia, are you ready to go?" Jimmy called out from the foot of the steps."I'll be there in a moment; can't a woman have a minute?" Natalia washed her hands and fixed her lipstick."You are no normal woman Natalia Sellers now come on." Jimmy walked behind her and kissed her neck below her earlobe."Are you saying I'm not a woman?" Natalie said coyly."No, I'm saying you need to hurry up. It's already 10:00 p.m. and I want to check out the place again. I have the flashlights already in the car." Jimmy set his hands on her hips."Okay. I am ready now." Nat walked down the steps wearing jeans and a shirt, and let her hips sway. Her dark hair was pulled behind her in a ponytail. And she tossed her husband a grin."Now I know why I married you," Jimmy said following her, letting his eyes linger on her backside."Don't get mushy on me." Natalia teased."Mushy? Me? Never!" Jimmy smiled, walking to the door to hold it for her."I have a question for you," Natalia tu
The Truth of AlexAlex listened intently once more, as she told him of what she referred to as wolf-men. This would be the part where most people would prejudge her as being crazy, or just eccentric, and their minds would drift off to other topics. The complete opposite was true for Alexander. "Go on.""I have been seeing this man, and last night leaving the Civic Center, I swear I actually saw him. In the visions or whatever we want to call them, I have seen him, I even know what he smells like. He scares me in my visions, but seeing him today he didn't seem so harsh. Okay, now I know I'm crazy but I even know his name and I have never met him before."Oshey looked up over her glass at him. "Alex, I have a very open mind and I cannot always explain what I see or hear, and I believe there is more out there than you or I can see. But I do not believe in just conjuring up someone, from a vision or having them just, appear like that. So I guess, I was wondering what was going on in my mi
November 1986Quinn came home today upset and happy. He said that he saw Oshey, not our Oshey, but Oshey. He didn't make any sense; he was fit to be tied. When we tried to get him to talk, all he said was Gaia had kept her promise.I don't understand him, or what he thinks he saw. But if she is Oshey wouldn't that mean the thing is back as well?~~~Quinn had just left Albany Bank & Trust when he caught something in the wind. He sniffed the air several times before following the scent in the direction it was the thickest. "Oshey?""I'll take a Pepsi today, Ray," Oshey said, stopping by the corner vendor. Oshey had come here a lot over the last few weeks, and she was learning all the locals. She slipped a ten to the older man and walked away leaving the change. She knew Ray made very little this time of the year, so she didn't mind helping him out.Cornell and the rest of the band were back in town and planning on meeting her downtown later in the day to set up for the Founder's
1986"Kasper," Quinn said into the phone. "You are not going to believe this. I found Oshey.""Say that again,” Kasper said as he quickly sat forward in the chair, excitement coloring his features."I found her, she is here, but she is different. I can't explain right now." Quinn paced as his free hand ran through his hair.Kasper stood, pulling his boots to his feet, and struggled to make them fit. "Where are you at?" He half mumbled trying not to fall on his face."Near the bank. I'm going to go talk to Gynn and see what she says about this." Quinn felt his heart about to burst out of his chest.
May 1991I spent the better part of two weeks with Jessica. She was devastated by her father’s death. I think seeing her crushed brought back emotions I had denied for many years. I’m still human, after all. I cried with her, and when she and I could cry no more, we began to talk. I told her I worked for an eccentric older man. She told me she was starting classes this fall at Albany University. Life just seemed to calm down for the two of us.Mason never did contact me again. But somehow I knew he was watching. He was always going to be watching Jess.I'm going to miss Jess.March 1996I met a very interesting character tonight. He asked me to call him Hound, so I figure he is probably one of Gabriel’s men. Gabe once told me about some of his men, and even regaled me with tales of his private guard, nicknamed The Black Horde. I got the impression from Hound, he may have been part of the Horde. It was quite like a distant memory coming back to me from nowhere. It’s hard
Yada sat on the bench as the day drifted into night. She continued to sit as the moon moved higher, threatening to devour her. Looking over the calm waves, she saw a flock of birds changes direction as if avoiding a predator and finally land to her left. Reaching for her cigarettes, she didn’t notice someone standing behind her. Several minutes passed before, Yada turned around. “Gabriel, my lord,” she quickly said, shifting to one knee before looking at the ground near his feet. “Forgive me, please,” Yada begged, still looking at the ground. Gabriel did not say a word. He simply sat at her side. “Formalities of title have never been part of our relationship before. Do not allow it to come between us now.”“My lord,” she began. “I should have never acted as impulsively as I did. I am a child lost in your world.”“Are you going to refer to me as ‘My Lord,’ all night?” He finally asked.“No,” she whispered. “I’ve been lost this last week without you. I don’t know what is r
I left the apartment today. I could not handle it anymore. I had to get away from the same four walls. I left shortly before sunrise, so he couldn’t follow me. I walked along the beach this morning as the sun began to climb over the city. It was there on the sandy shore I came to an understanding. I now understand what he expects of me. I have searched a lot of memories. He is old. I mean really old. He and his brother Michael were the original vampires--A punishment from the gods. I would never have believed this if I had not relived that moment. I also noticed he has never taken a sahead before. Not once in any memory did I see one. It means something to me. He chose me. I’m honored. But the flood comes and goes and I cannot control what I see. So I left.I continued to walk until I noticed I was being followed. The man stayed far enough behind me so I couldn’t see his face. I kept having the feeling I knew him though. When I confronted him, I wasn’t ready fo
2500 B.C.“Hurry up, Alu. We are going to be late. He won’t be happy if we are late… again.” The tall man spoke over his shoulder, climbing hand-carved steps two at a time.“Time is the only constant. We are never late nor are we early. We arrive when we are expected to.” Alu said, catching up with his brother on the top step.“You sound like you have been studying the stars again, brother.”“Perhaps,” he said with a light smile. “There is a sense of being in the stars. It is said Ra fancies the heaven and stars.”Akar regarded his brother silently before a guard walked them into the chamber.“Pharaoh,” they both said, moving to one knee before their ruler.“Rise Alu and Akar,” Pharaoh dismissed the rest of his court.“You summoned us, Pharaoh?” Akar began, still looking at the hand-carved titles before Pharaoh.“Rise Akar, you are a friend here.” Pharaoh’s words were soft and warm. “Pharaoh, what is your wish, we are here but to serve.” Alu began as he folded his arms beh
Gabriel bit into his wrist and offered it to her. When she brought it to her mouth, he held her tighter. Her body started to reject his blood. It happened every time he fed her. The human body does not accept the blood of the undead. Out of instinct, the stomach convulses, trying to expel what is ingested. Gabriel told her eventually it will subside. Gabriel waited until the fight ended before biting into Yada’s wrist. The moment he did, Yada’s mind began to fill with images from Gabe’s past.~~~August 2, 1701“Gabriel.”It wasn’t his real name, but a name he decided to use some years ago, after the birth of Christianity, when he settled into a small area outside of Rome. He and his brother were mistaken for a pair of Angels. Some hesitant locals said they could only be the hand of God and referred to them as the Fallen Michael and Gabriel. The thought had always amused them, and the pair decided to keep the names as long as they brought fear to man. As long as man feared
“That went well,” she whispered, leaning her head against the wall after shutting his door. Yada knew she would have to deal with other vampires, but she didn’t expect to tonight. Not all the training had prepared her for an actual face-to-face meeting with someone of Vincent’s age. Sure, she had met a few others and even attended a council meeting once, but she was not allowed to speak. Pushing off the wall, Yada found the restroom and splashed water against her face. She looked in the mirror, seeing a pale-faced woman with thick eye makeup standing behind her. The woman’s face powder was heavy, giving her the appearance of the undead. Yada splashed more water on her face and rubbed the back of her neck. The meeting with Vincent proved more stressful than she cared to admit. The light above her head suddenly crackled and flickered before going out. The window behind the woman allowed enough pale light to seep through the blinds, so she could see faint outlines. Beside the
April 19, 1991I made my first real kill tonight. I thought killing an undead thing would make me feel some sort of remorse. I don’t, though. I feel more alive than I have ever felt. I feel like I was born to do this job. The feeling scares the hell out of me and at the same moment electrifies me.I’ve given careful thought to my attacker. I was unprepared for the fight and nearly lost my life. I realized that if it had not been for fast thinking and skill, I would now be dead. I guess in the heat of the moment you don’t have time to think, you can only react to your training. I have heard people say the fight or flight instinct takes over. I have to agree. Survival, my survival, was the only thing I had in mind.I wasn’t as fast as he was, and the trophy he earned will mar my thigh forever. I learned tonight that if I am to live in this world, I need to become a better killer. I don’t mean the type of killer that pulls a gun and gets the job done. I mean the type of kil
We killed my father tonight.He didn’t leave me any choice. James, or that is what he called himself in human form, was a killer. He attacked five wolfin across the region before he finally captured me. He taunted me for several days before I knew what I needed to do.I could not allow him to go on. I couldn’t have more blood on my hands. I already had too much blood on my hands with Anos death. James killed him because he was my friend. I still do not understand Lyceums or their thinking, but I am learning. Daily I am learning about the war on the streets between the Wolfin’s and the Lyceums. And I dislike what I am finding out.My education started the day he kidnapped me. It was the day he killed Jake. I rather miss Jake, even if he was a real pain in the ass. A second event happened that day. It was the day Gabriel entered my life. Rescuing me from James set into motion a chain of events that lead me back to the warehouse tonight.My mate Noah was there. He and Quinn had figured
A gentle breeze from the south brought a thick cloud cover, which blocked the afternoon sun. Jessica Gotti had not noticed the changing weather until the mail carrier appeared and handed her a bound stack. Flipping through the pile, she took a select handful to her car and dumped them in the passenger seat. Looking over the front window of the gallery, she felt a tickle on the back of her neck, as though someone was watching her. Quickly turning around and finding nothing out of place she rubbed her temples, dismissing the sensation as a sign of stress from the extra work she’d put in, so the opening date would not be delayed again.Realizing it was almost 3:00 P.M. She decided to head home. The drive lulled her mind from the hectic schedule she had been living by. The rhythmic sound of the tires erased all the stress of the last few days. Moreover, for the first time, she knew in her heart that the opening would go off as planned with no backlashesShe was listening to a Final