Page 72 of Beyond the Ruby River
They dashed through the streets toward the Nile, Daka leading the way as fast as his legs would take him. Temaj carried Mahu with the kind of superhuman strength only vampires possessed, over weeds and past low hanging branches down the path Mahu had shown Daka for their swimming lessons.
Daka could hardly breathe himself. Witnessing Mahu in such distress and being powerless to help him filled him with terror. He raced to the river with one hope in mind. This had to be where Mahu wanted his new life to begin. They were going to the water for his transformation.
When solid ground became mud, and water rose ankle deep, they pressed onward. Almost there. The floodwater inundated the farmlands with its riches, bringing fertile soil from higher lands to the desert and blessing the people with another year’s harvest. Daka didn’t care as long as Mahu made it in time.
“How is he?” yelled Daka over his shoulder.
“Still with us,” answered Temaj.
Daka pressed on. Though the muck stole his footing and the water was knee high, he trudged with the kind of frenzy only fear of death could induce. If Mahu wanted the river for his transformation, then he would have it. They continued until the current tugged and threatened to sweep them away, signaling the land’s drop-off ahead.
“Here.” Daka stopped. “Do it here, where he taught me to float.”
Soaked hip deep, Daka reached for Mahu’s crumpled form. Temaj gently handed him over. Mahu’s eyes remained closed. Blood still seeped from his nose and had dribbled down his chin.
“Now Temaj, now! What must you do? Hurry before it’s too late.”
“Dakarai, Mahu hasn’t asked for it. He’s chosen to die.” Temaj spoke with caution. “You must say goodbye to him.”
Daka clutched Mahu to his chest. “No, no, no, that’s not what he wants. He was coming around. He asked you about the transformation!”
“He asked me about dying.”
“Because he must die to be reborn a vampire,” Daka insisted.
“Because I have died once, and he is about to. He shook his head no when I asked. He’s afraid, Dakarai. Comfort him in his final moments.”
Daka refused to believe it. “Mahu, you must wake up. You must tell Temaj I’m right!” Tears clouded his vision.
Mahu remained limp in his arms, but his eyes fluttered open at Daka’s demands. He’d always done anything Daka had asked of him happily. Now Daka needed one last favor. The most important of all.
“Tell him, Mahu. Say yes. Stay with me,” Daka begged.
Blinking up at him, garnet eyes clouded over, Mahu tried to speak, but the effort only brought more blood from his failing lungs.
“Oh, Mahu,” Daka sobbed. He leaned down to kiss him. “That’s all right. Nod your head, that will be enough.”
The corners of Mahu’s mouth lifted a fraction to form the saddest smile Daka had ever seen. With his last bit of strength, Mahu shook his head.
“Mahu!” Daka wailed. He looked desperately to Temaj. “He didn’t mean it. He wants to stay with me. I need him, Temaj, you must do it. I love him. Please.”
Temaj was a picture of misery. “I’m sorry—”
Daka couldn’t see for the pool of tears in his eyes. “Don’t say that! Listen, I could have changed his mind. I didn’t have enough time. You know it’s true. Please.”
Expression torn, Temaj said gently, “He’s said no, Daka.”
“He doesn’t know any better!” Urgency drove Daka onward. They didn’t have time for this. “He’s been taught his entire life that he’ll join his loved ones in the underworld. You know as well as I do that’s not true. You’ve said so yourself. His wife and children are dust in their graves by now, as Mahu will be too if you don’t help us!”
Temaj hesitated, arms crossed, hugging himself. “He has a right to his beliefs, right or wrong. He’s chosen death.”
Daka fought back panic. He must win this argument, the only one that would ever matter. If he lost now, he lost for eternity. “Temaj, think. A vampire can choose death as easily as a human. Do this. Transform him. Give him more time to make the decision. If you turn him, he still has a choice. He can still choose to die. But if you don’t, he will perish, and we will lose the choice and each other forever.”
Mahu stopped breathing. Daka felt it in the core of his very being. He stared down to see the river washing ruby droplets from where they’d slid down Mahu’s throat. With one last desperate plea, he pushed Mahu toward Temaj.
“Take him. Do it. I’m begging you!” Daka choked as he pled his case. “Grant us the time to choose. Save him for me, Temaj, and I’ll owe you my own life. Please.”
Daka let go of Mahu so if Temaj didn’t take him, the water would. A desperate gambit, and one that paid off.
