Absent Shadows: Destiny Part 5

He reached up, and stroked my cheek, turning my face back to him. He gazed into my eyes.

'No, Lili, don't worry about Claire. That's not how it works. She didn't drink his blood-the contagion hasn't spread. Really, she'll be fine.'

'Claire will be fine, you say. She's been bitten ... by a vampire ... but she'll be fine, because she didn't drink his blood. I see. Well, actually, I don't see ...'

I didn't know what I believed. And I didn't know who was more insane; Sam, for telling me all this, or me, for thinking that maybe he was telling the truth. And if he was telling the truth, shouldn't I be frightened for my own life?

Sam continued stroking my hands, trying to keep eye contact with me, but this time I looked down at the floor.

'So, when ... I mean, how long ago ... how long have you ...'

'Tom and I arrived in Melbourne in 1853, almost exactly one year after my family died.'

I drew in my breath, and held it for a moment, then let it out slowly before I spoke.

'1853 ... right. So, let me see if I've got this straight. You're a vampire. And you're, like, over a hundred and fifty years old. And you kill people and drink their blood. Have I got that right?'

The logical side of my brain was still convinced that this was all an elaborate hoax. And on some level I knew this disbelief was the only thing keeping me from being paralysed with fear.

'Lili, firstly, know that you are safe. Everything will be fine. Now, look at me. Stare into my eyes and tell me what you see.'

I hesitated, knowing that staring into his eyes would make me calm again, but it wouldn't answer anything.

'Lili, please,' he pleaded softly.

I felt I needed to do as he said, not for me ... for him. I looked into his beautiful, dark eyes, waiting to feel the calming sensation come over me again. Only it didn't. Instead, as I watched his eyes they changed. The blue turned to red. They were still dark and beautiful, but they were red. I stared in amazement at the transformation, then pulled back a little, and changed my focus from his eyes, to his whole face. His skin suddenly appeared to be almost translucent, with a grey tinge to it.

'There are some things we can't hide, like the fact that we don't cast a shadow. But we are able to create a visual illusion-our eyes, our skin-so that we look like what you would expect a "normal" human to look like. The illusion is a bit hard to keep up when we're young, but the older we get, the easier it becomes until the illusion is there without us having to think about it. I had to force the illusion to drop just now, so that you could see the real me.'

'How did you do that?' I didn't really believe he was actually a vampire, yet if he wasn't how had he just turned his eyes red, and drained the colour from his face?

'I told you. It's what we are. That's how we look.'

The sadness returned; in his voice, and on his face. I forced myself to look away from him, to try to think clearly.

'Okay. So, you're a vampire. Let's just say for a moment that's true, not that I 'm saying I believe you ... but if it is true ... how can you be outside in the daytime? We went to the football game, we've walked all around Sydney today ... aren't you meant to, like, shrivel up or explode or something if a sunbeam touches you?'

I tried to remember movies I'd seen. What did those vampires look like? How did they die?

'It's not like that. We do stay out of the sun, partly because we don't cast shadows, but also because the young vampires can easily get distracted and drop their illusion. So, as a precaution, we avoid daylight and bright lights. And then of course there are the vampire hunters. They can spot us quite easily if we're out in the open-particularly in daylight.'

'Oh, yes, of course ... the "vampire hunters" ...' I said, dragging out the words.

'Yes, vampire hunters,' he replied, ignoring my sarcasm. 'They keep the vampire population down. They're our only natural enemy, and the illusion doesn't work on them.'

I wanted to believe Sam, no matter what he said, but it was getting harder, not easier, by the minute.

'So, they can see you anytime?'

'Yes, they can see us, and they can smell us. They are the protectors of humans, but the last thing they want to do is to create a scene, so when they spot a vampire they simply keep an eye on him, or her, and follow them until they can get them alone. Then they destroy them.'

I turned to look at him again, and his eyes and face were back to normal. I sighed. 'I see. And you and Tom have somehow evaded these vampire hunters ... for how many years now?'

'Tom and I have survived here because we are careful. That's why I was angry when Tom invited you girls to the football. We try to avoid big crowds. Things can happen ... things can get out of control.' He paused, and when he continued his voice was a bit louder. 'Tom was really getting into that game-yelling and carrying on. I could tell the guy on the other side of him was getting agitated. If that guy had started a fight ... well, Tom is very strong, and if that guy had gotten aggressive, I'm not sure if Tom would have been able to control himself.'

So it wasn't me that he was avoiding ... he simply didn't want to go to the game and wasn't happy with Tom for suggesting it. I knew this was a stupid thing to be thinking about right now, but the thought was there nonetheless, and it made me happy. Sam hadn't been avoiding me after all.

'Tom and I avoid confrontation. We don't do anything in the open that would give us away, and we don't kill humans. Well, not often anyway.'

'You don't kill humans? Aren't vampires meant to drink human blood? How can you not kill them?'

He seemed to be trying to choose his words carefully. 'There are other ways,' he said.

'Other ways? What, like, robbing a blood bank?' I turned my head away from Sam and then a terrible thought occurred to me. 'Or, like keeping slaves or something? Taking blood, but not enough to kill them ...'

Had I seen that in some movie? I could feel the panic starting to return.

Sam squeezed my hands, and stared even more deeply into my eyes. The effect was immediate-I felt calmer instantly.

'No, Lili, don't even think that. We mostly survive on the blood of animals-rabbits and foxes when we're in the city. Do you know how many rabbits and foxes there are in Melbourne? And you don't have to go far to find lots of kangaroos. Initially that was what we hunted, but when the rabbit and fox populations took off they were easy prey without having to venture very far.'

'So ... you don't ever kill humans?' I could hear the relief in my voice, and could see it register in his eyes.

'I have ... but not often ... and not for a long time now. Tom tries too, though I know he isn't quite as motivated as I am.'

'I don't understand, Sam. I mean, I guess I'm glad you don't kill humans, me being the key one I'd like you not to kill ... but why? I mean, if you're a vampire, well, isn't that what vampires do? I mean, I love cats-they really are the most majestic creatures. And they kill to survive. They are what they are, and I don't respect them any less for being what they are.'

'That's probably a better a.n.a.logy than you realise. They mostly kill to survive, and so do we, mostly. Although of course there are some very bad vampires out there. But there is something else ... about me ... that I haven't told you.'

'Something else? Oh, I know, let me guess. You can change into a bat-that's how you get away from the vampire hunters ... and catch the rabbits, right?'

He laughed, and the sadness in his eyes diminished for a moment. A wry smile appeared on his lips, and his voice was again calm and mesmerising when he spoke.

'Did you see that film, where the kid says "I see dead people"?'

I nodded. Yes, I knew the one he meant straight away-I loved that movie. But what did that have to do with vampires?

'I see dead people, Lili. All the time. Just like the kid in the movie.'

'Ahhhh ... okay ... now this is all beginning to make sense. I'm dead, right? Like Bruce Willis. So, what, did my plane crash on landing or something?'

'No, your plane didn't crash, but that's a good one,' he laughed, and again the sadness seemed to evaporate from his face. Then he continued, more seriously, 'Really-I see dead people. Anyone that died or is buried nearby, if they haven't moved on, I can see them.'

He seemed to be serious, and I wanted to believe him, but every time he spoke it seemed to be getting more and more complicated-not to mention far-fetched.

'You see, that's why I don't kill people. I see what it does to them when vampires kill them. They walk the streets looking for an explanation to their death. Or worse, sometimes they don't even know they're dead.'

'Right. So, I take it that not all vampires see dead people then?'

'No, or at least they don't see them all the time. Tom certainly doesn't. Being a vampire intensifies all your senses, and it strengthens whatever skills you had as a human. A lot of people can see ghosts, if the ghosts want to be seen. It's just that I see them even if they aren't trying to be seen.'

I wasn't sure I followed all that, but I tried. 'And so, these dead people ... did you see them before you became a vampire?'

'Sort of. There were a few strange things that happened, when I was young. But then when I learned that my family had died, I wanted desperately to see them again and somehow I knew that if I could find them, I would see them. That's why we went to the hill-that's why we camped there-that night.'

'To see your family. And did you see them?'

'Yes. Well, not my parents, but I saw my sister. I saw Elizabeth. That's why I stayed-and why I don't kill people. I've always live close to the gardens-you've seen my current house. Tom lives there with me, most of the time, and together we help protect the gardens, and the whole area, as much as we can. I don't want any more ghosts than what are already there.

'It's a big job, protecting that area. The streets around the market and gardens are full of backpacker hotels. That's what attracts the vampires. Backpackers are easy prey as they are often alone and unfamiliar with their surroundings. They venture down dark laneways where they become easy targets. There are vampires everywhere, particularly this time of year. Travellers from the northern hemisphere come here for their school breaks and summer holidays ... and vampires follow them here. And with our winter grey skies, the vampires feel safe.'

'Wait ... do you mean to tell me there are lots of vampires in Melbourne?'

'Yes, especially this time of year.'

'Well, that's just ... gross-not to mention frightening.'

'Now you know why I didn't want you walking home after work.'

'Ahhh ... yes. Thanks, I guess.'

I looked at him, trying really hard to believe all this, but I still felt uncertain. It was, after all, pretty unbelievable.

'I can see you still doubt me. Look, if you want, I'll take you for a walk around the streets near the market one day-in the late afternoon. I can sometimes spot them on the rooftops, watching the streets below. I might even be able to point one out to you. I spend a lot of time in the gardens and all around the market; most nights in fact.'

I thought about this-about him protecting the gardens.

'But you're here, now? Aren't you neglecting your duties?' I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice. It was all so absurd, wasn't it?

'It's not just me. There are others. Tom and I help, but it's mainly Michael's job. He's the main protector, and he's looking after things this weekend. That's why Tom and I were able to get away. He doesn't really need us, you know, but he's gotten used to having us-it gives him the ability to relax some nights.'

'Michael? So, I take it he's another vampire?' I asked, shaking my head, still trying to clear it.

'No, Michael isn't a vampire. He's a vampire hunter-a dhampir.'

'Ah, right ... the dreaded vampire hunters again. Yes, yes of course,' I said, still shaking my head with disbelief. 'And so this, Michael ... you say he's the main protector? And you and Tom just help him. That makes no sense to me ... none at all. Didn't you just say before that vampire hunters kill vampires? Isn't that the whole point of them? And what's a dhampir anyway?'

'A dhampir is a vampire hunter. They are the offspring of a vampire and a human woman. They have the strength, power and immortality of a vampire, but they are not vampires. They don't kill humans, they protect them.'

'A vampire ... and a human woman ... you mean they can ...' I couldn't even bring myself to say it.

'Yes. Not often, but it does happen. Mostly, it's the man's own wife, from before ... from when he was a human. But sometimes a woman simply gains the attention of a vampire-and not because he wants to drink her blood.' He smiled at me shyly, and I could feel my cheeks growing hot with the realisation of what this meant.

'I see,' I whispered, trying to force my mind back to the more important issues facing me. This man I was so attracted to wasn't a man ... he was a vampire. And I had to come to terms with what this meant even though I knew I wasn't thinking clearly.

'So, let me go back. You say this Michael is a vampire hunter, a dhampir. If that's true, then how can you be friends with him? Or, more to the point, how come he hasn't killed you?'

'Michael's father is Erranase.'

'Right, Erranase ... the one that created you. So, does that make you sort of like brothers or something? So, like ... he can't kill you?'

'No, he certainly could kill me, as well as Tom and Erranase, if he wanted to. But he knows that we are all on the same side. We help out when things get ... hectic. And Tom and I do a lot of the patrolling so Michael doesn't have to. He knows I won't kill people. It's a bit trickier with Tom and Erranase, however ... and Michael has warned them both a few times. They certainly don't kill any people ... in the area. But sometimes they leave for a few days and I don't ask Tom where they've been or what they've done, but Tom always seems stronger and sharper afterwards, and I'm reasonably certain it's human blood that strengthens him.'

Somehow it was all starting to make sense. Well, perhaps 'sense' wasn't the right word, but I did follow what he'd said. And remarkably, I wasn't scared. I knew I should be scared-in fact I should be terrified. And if anything was frightening, it was the fact that I wasn't scared. Was I losing my mind? Or was I just so scared that I didn't even realise it? Was that possible? How on earth, if this was all true, could I be so calm?

'Are you okay, Lili? I know it's an awful lot to take on board. I've had years to come to terms with it, but I can still remember when I was first created, how hard it was for me to believe. I never intended to tell you any of this. I was trying to stay away from you.'

And that's when the penny finally dropped.

'That's what you meant when you said you didn't mix well with people,' I said, in a voice so faint I could barely hear it myself.

'Yes. But then Tom won this trip, and said he would take Claire whether I came or not ... and I needed to be here, in case something ... happened. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to involve you in any of this.'

'It's okay. I mean, as okay as possible I suppose. I'm not afraid, or at least I don't think I am. Should I be?'

'No. There's nothing to be afraid of. You're safe. But are you sure you can cope with everything I've told you? Because I can make it all go away. I can make you forget, like I did with Claire. You can go to sleep and wake up tomorrow, and this won't even be a bad dream you had.'

'No,' I said, shaking my head, 'I don't want to forget. I just need a bit of time to let it sink in. If this is who you are, then I'm glad I know the truth. But, what do you mean-you can make me forget?'

'It's just another skill ... I can hypnotise you. I can make you forget what you saw. It's a skill that vampires use to subdue prey-that's probably how it originated-and in some of us, it's quite strong. It comes in handy from time to time when there are witnesses to things.'

I nodded slightly, as if that made everything clear. But really, there was so much to take in, so much to try to reconcile between what I'd just been told, and what I'd always thought were myths and horror films. But when he smiled at me, and his beautiful blue eyes sparkled, it was hard not to believe him. I had this really strong urge to trust that everything he'd told me was the truth. It was like I needed to believe him ... to trust him.

His cool hands squeezed mine and then he got up off the floor and sat beside me on the sofa. When he spoke, his voice was still soft and soothing.

'Do you want to try to get some sleep? You can go lie down in the other bedroom. I'd rather you didn't disturb Claire yet.'

'No, I can't sleep-I mean ... I want to stay here, with you.'

'Alright, lean against me then, and try to rest a little. It's been a big day, and an even bigger night.' He held his arm out for me to curl up next to him and then he wrapped both arms around me, and kissed the top of my head.

'Sleep, my beauty,' he whispered.

I hadn't realised I was so exhausted; both physically, and mentally. Logic and intuition had been battling against each other in my mind, and I was tired of the struggle. I just wanted to rest, and it felt so wonderful, leaning against him, feeling his strength.

And then, from deep in my memory, a melancholy tune started to surface-one of the songs Mom had listened to over and over shortly after Dad died. As I felt myself drifting off to sleep, the music played softly in my head.

* CHAPTER SEVEN *.

I woke in a bright room. Sunshine streamed in through a gap in drapes that I didn't recognise. In fact, nothing looked or felt familiar. I sat up on the bed and stretched, then noticed that I was fully dressed with the exception of my bare feet. I listened intently, hoping some sound would jog my memory, but the only sound I heard was a mechanical hum-perhaps an air-conditioner?