Page 75 of Beyond the Ruby River
Mahu looked down. His tunic was covered in blood and unmentionable filth. He wanted to strip it off and leave it behind in the sand along with his own skin, the cursed fanged teeth, and all that had happened tonight which could never be undone.
Dakarai’s betrayal sank soul deep and dug talons around his useless heart. Mahu should never have trusted a demon. Should have known better. Should have broken ties when he’d had the chance.
The punishment fit the crime. A demon himself, fated to darkness, to live off the blood of others. He thought of his friends, Sebek, Meri, Herit and their children. He could never see them again. It wasn’t safe. Not with his appetite. No more tiny scrolls and giggling thank yous. He wouldn’t risk cursing them like he’d been cursed.
Mahu’s entire life was lost to him, and if he didn’t flee, he risked spreading the poison further. An image flashed in his mind, fangs buried in the sensitive skin of Sebek’s wrist, the look on his friend’s face as he recoiled in terror, the unquenchable thirst. It couldn’t come to pass.
Mahu froze mid-step. “Temaj, we must leave.”
Temaj’s answering stare saw straight into his thoughts. “We will.”
Mahu felt frantic. He wouldn’t risk hurting his friends. But he couldn’t bear to voice the fear out loud. “Immediately.”
“Yes, if you wish.” Temaj seemed to know what he meant. “Let’s collect your things, and I’ll take you somewhere safe. I’ve called for Solon; he’ll know what to do.”
Realizing Temaj was at a loss the same as him only increased Mahu’s panic. “You don’t know what to do?”
Temaj took Mahu’s face in his hands. “I won’t let you hurt anyone; you have my word. Not the humans we choose for our meals, not your friends, and not Dakarai. But I’ve never made another vampire before now, and there’s much for us to learn together.”
Mahu’s strength failed him. He sank to his knees on the sandy path. Temaj followed him down. There were houses around, but they were dark and quiet. It must be midnight by now, maybe later. Time had lost its meaning.
Tears blurred Mahu’s vision, casting Temaj’s face in a red sheen. “Why?”
Temaj, misery etched across his handsome features, looked as if he might cry as well. He shook his head.
Mahu grabbed his arms and shook him. “Why did you do it? You knew I didn’t want it!”
Temaj let Mahu manhandle him as if he deserved the mistreatment. Mahu let go. His shoulders caved, and his body hunched inward. Temaj caught him in a tight embrace and held strong. With one hand, he stroked Mahu’s hair. Mahu squeezed his eyes shut, blocking off the world.
“Your mouth said no, but your eyes said yes.” Temaj rocked him, and Mahu let the movement happen. “I wasn’t going to do it. I shouldn’t have. Dakarai argued so vigorously. I couldn’t think. His logic was too convincing. Maybe I didn’t want you to die. I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
Mahu clung to his anger, but it wasn’t aimed at Temaj. Its target had blue eyes, elegant matching horns, and a wicked curling tail.
“Do you want me to end it?” Temaj asked softly, his voice barely audible. “I could kill you now. I could try.”
Mahu recoiled, eyes snapping open. “No,” said his mouth without permission from his brain.
Relief washed the misery from Temaj’s face. “Oh thank the stars.”
Searching Temaj’s intense gaze, Mahu found only empathy. Temaj hadn’t deserved to be mired in Dakarai’s scheming. They both needed to escape him.
“Daka must stay in Kemet?” asked Mahu.
Temaj considered him. “Yes, his spirit is bound to these lands.”
“Then we leave.” As Mahu spoke the words, an invisible pain struck his dead heart. He’d loved Dakarai. The emotion twisted and morphed to something darker.
If Temaj knew, he kept it to himself. “As you wish.”
The Letters
Mahu,
You’ve left me. Without a farewell, with none of your kisses, and with no chance to make amends. I pretend it’s because you couldn’t bear to say goodbye to me. I pretend if we’d seen each other one last time, you could never have gone through with leaving. I pretend you’re coming back.
I can’t apologize. I’m not sorry for what I did. Knowing you’re out there somewhere in the world, living on without me, is better than knowing you’re in the ground turning to dust. I couldn’t bear it if you were. I’ve never been strong like you are.
I love you so much. I’ve cried you a river, Mahu.
