Page 76 of The Diary of the Vam'pir Jacques

My heart sank as I stared into the shadows that were empty.

I thought back ten years ago to when I felt the presence lurking around, and I hadn’t been able to put my finger on it. Somehow, I had to find the words to tell Pal and Mera that their two beloved children’s lives were at risk.

Now I recognised what had worried me then.

Blast!

???

When I returned to the villa, the lights were blazing, and I swallowed and squared my shoulders before entering.

Pal and Mera looked at me in surprise, but Inka knew at once that I had bad news. Inka moved closer to Mera, ready to comfort if need be.

“We must rouse the children and be gone from here immediately,” I announced without preamble.

I was never very good at words, and I didn’t really want to blurt everything out, but the urgency of the situation made me careless.

“Why?” Mera asked, fear showing on her face for the twins.

“Kit and Rahmon have been marked,” I said.

At first, nobody understood and then Inka rose and hurried to where they lay sleeping. Inka woke them and urged them to dress. Pal rose to his feet and stared into my eyes.

“Jacques, I need an explanation. My family goes nowhere unless I’m told the truth.”

“Inka and I ran into a cult several years back. A goddess-worshipping cult driven by the deity’s will. They worship Ramedes.”

Mera drew her breath in and then climbed to her feet. Slowly, at first, she walked in the direction of the children and then sprinted.

Pal sat down heavily and stared at me.

“There’s one of them here? And the children are marked? Damn it, Jacques.”

“If we can get them out of Egypt and to Rome, then they’ll be safe. However, there are four of us, and we must leave now.”

“Will that be enough?” Pal asked.

Silently, I agreed with the question and sent out a call for Nathan, Li’zel, and Ami to meet me. During the last few weeks, our minds had brushed, and they were close. I added a Vam’pir SOS, so they knew it was urgent.

Within minutes, I found myself face-to-face with Li’zel. Irately, she flung her hair back over her shoulders and glared.

“An SOS, Jaq?”

“I’m impressed by how quickly you got here,” I said with a grin.

“I was in the middle of something. Your call came, and I answered. What the hell is wrong?” Li’zel demanded, drumming her nails on a table.

Her eyes narrowed as Mera entered the room and took one at glance at Li’zel before turning and leaving quickly. Li’zel, when in a bad mood, was formidable, and at that precise moment, she was foul.

“Pal and Mera need our help. They have two adopted children…” I began.

“I’m aware. We are pleased for them. If that is your SOS Jaq, then I must be getting back.” Li’zel rose fluidly and began to walk out of the door.

“Ramedes,” I stated.

Li’zel stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to face me. Li’zel’s eyes narrowed, and her hands clenched.

Intrigued, I watched. A rumour had once reached me that somewhere down the line, Li’zel had run into the cult. Besides ourselves, only one other person encountered Ramedes; unfortunately, he couldn’t assist us. I wouldn’t even dream of asking for it.

---