Chapter 270: Vampire Chances
And all of a sudden, just like that, Mom was rushing the witches out of the room while Uncle Frank and Sunny sat on the bed on either side of Dad. I could barely breathe, didn't want to watch, not sure how I would feel about the vampires if I actually saw what they really were.
I felt the hushed worry of the coven, the push of their judgment and locked that part out. How dare they take a side? They weren't the ones facing certain death. Anger surged through me and I welcomed it. Anything to push aside the aching need I felt, a need for this to work.
Mom slammed the door and turned back, hand reaching for mine where I'd backed off, my whole body shaking. She trembled as much as I did, but there was hope in her face so I forced myself to calm down and be there for her.
Meira joined us, hugging Mom, then me before pressing against me and turning to face the bed, her chin lifted. Fearless.
At least on the outside.
I caught motion from the corner of my eye, watched as Sassafras crouched near the ensuite bathroom door, his face in his hands. I left Mom and Meira and went to my friend. He looked up, accepted my hand when I held it out to him. I drew him to his feet and wrapped my arms around him, welcoming his as he hugged me back.
Thanks. His voice was clear in my head.
Oh Sass, I sent. You don't have to ever thank me for anything.
His arms tightened, power wrapping around me. I let my demon out and felt her embrace him too.
It was only then I understood he was still the Sassafras I had known my whole life. With our power touching so intimately, I finally let go of the cat and let myself love Sass for who he really was.
The lights dimmed as though in answer to some draw of energy. I couldn't really feel it, not until the air chilled, all moisture and warmth pulled free. I shuddered, wishing I had a sweater, eyes locked on Uncle Frank and Sunny.
I'd heard stories about vampires, how they made more of their kind. Read the classics like Dracula. All that blood sucking stuff. But the truth of turning a human couldn't have been farther from the fables I'd grown up on.
White magic pooled between the two undead, forming a light mist at first, thin and wavering until it thickened into a tangible, swirling mass. I watched, amazed, as both vampires seemed to become transparent, their unbeating hearts not empty, black masses as I'd imagined but pulsing stars glowing with white fire. It suffused their bodies, filling them, turning them into radiant beings who broke my heart. Sassy's arms clenched reflexively around me.
They were beautiful. I'd seen something similar, in their blood clan leader, Sebastian, taken over by the essence of the vampiric virus. It had turned him into perfection, an angel of death and I'd been as attracted to him as I'd been terrified of what he'd become.
Uncle Frank and Sunny didn't have his power, but together they shared enough light I found myself blinking away tears at the sight. Gone were the horror movie memories of blood dripping from vampire fangs. Instead, I watched as the pool of energy and power, the very heart of what made vampires magical, rose spinning in the air over my father. Sunny raised her hands, light reflecting from her as Uncle Frank did the same. There was a small patch of blackness on his face, where the sun damage created a permanent hole in his power, but it didn't stop him or seem to hinder him.
Dad looked up, the light reflected in his eyes, face calm, serene, fearless. I wished I shared his feelings, but we had no other choice. And I'd lived with a demon dad for seventeen years. An undead dad wouldn't be all that different.
I heard Mom cry out as the vampire magic descended swiftly and dove deep inside my father. Dad's back arched, mouth opening wide. White light beamed out of his eyes, from between his parted lips, seemed to shine from every pore. The whole room glowed with pure white radiance, the two vampires pouring their power into my father's husk of a body.
There was no fading, no soft retreat for the light. It snapped off as if someone hit a switch. I blinked, fighting for my sight through the flashes ruining my night vision. By the time I could see clearly, it was over.
I hurried to Sunny who slumped at Dad's bedside, blonde hair hanging over her face. She looked up as I reached for her, shining tears trickling down her pale cheeks.
Mom moved us aside with a gesture, Sunny retreating with me. One look at Uncle Frank and I knew.
But I had to know for sure.
Dad panted, chest rising and falling in quick gasps of air. Sunny's lips drifted over my cheek, her voice soft in my ear. "I'm so sorry, Syd," she whispered. "It didn't work."
"Why?" Mom's question was a cry as she looked up at Uncle Frank. He shook his head, grim, cold, no humanity in his one good eye.
"His body refused us," he said. "Harry's spirit was willing, but his mortal form wouldn't let us in."
Sunny stepped forward, one hand on Mom's shoulders. "We could assemble the clan," she said. "Try again."
Mom shook her head, shrugged Sunny off. "Leave us," she choked. "Just leave us be."
The vampires left, Sassy following them out. Sunny met my eyes as she closed the door behind her, entire being full of regret. I wished I had some comfort to offer her, but I was all out at the moment.
I knelt next to Mom as the door sighed closed, Meira resuming her place on Dad's right.
Mom's hand ran through my hair before she gripped Dad's again. "Harry," she said. "Oh my love."
Dad's breathing settled as I reached out and fed him demon magic. "Was worth a shot," he whispered. "Though nothing in this family has ever been easy." His blue eyes met mine. "It's time for a talk, I think. Miriam, I need you to go so I can speak to my daughters."
Mom left without a word, though she was crying and I wanted to follow her. But it was pretty obvious she and Dad had planned this moment and even though this was the last place I wanted to be at the moment, listening to him say goodbye, I knew I had to stay, if only for my sister.
"When I met your mother, I loved her instantly. Did she tell you?" He smiled, one weak hand rising to touch my cheek before it fell to thud against the covers. "Did I ever tell you? Syd, it seems we've always talked without saying anything at all."
I lifted his hand and held it to my face, not even trying to stop the tears from flowing. "That was my fault," I breathed around the lump in my throat. "I just wanted to spend time with you when you were here."
He nodded slowly, though it seemed to cause him pain. "I left a great deal of your raising to your mother." Dad turned his head, met Meira's amber eyes. "I know now it was my arrogance. I could have been here for you more often. But I was a demon lord, told myself I had responsibilities to my family. That you had your mother."
Meira sobbed once and collapsed next to him, hugging him gently. "We didn't mind."
Did we? Did I? As I sat there on the floor, my dying father next to me, I asked myself in all honesty if I resented him for not being there for me.
My heart flinched from the answer.
Dad met my eyes again, as if he knew, understood the realization I was coming to. "You deserved so much more, my beautiful, talented daughters. And even when I had the chance to be your father full time, when my effigy was destroyed, I could only focus on returning home to the life I knew." He shuddered gently. "I was so afraid," he whispered. "I didn't know how to be this man. Weak, subordinate." Dad managed to snort a laugh. "Your mother and I have always been equals. No," he shook his head, "I've always felt superior. And then, just like that, I was nothing."
"You aren't nothing." Meira sat back, face twisting in grief. "You are our dad."
He was crying too, we all were, as I huddled there with my sister and tried to let go of the old hurt. It left me easily, as though only asking permission to go. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his forehead.
"I want you both to know," he said, "how much I love you. How proud I am of who you are, who you've become. The Hayle family is in very good hands." Dad squeezed mine, just a little. "I want you to go back at some point," he said, "and find your grandmother. Tell her I chose you in the end."
I nodded and choked through the lump in my throat. "I will."
He laughed, a moment of strength. "She'll hate that," he whispered.
***
