Blueblood 3: The Others - 11. Showing Amasis The Truth

I could have gone with Colin, but he insisted I remain with Amasis and Nabia. I didn’t like being left behind, but we had gotten Amasis and Nabia asking questions or at least thinking there could be more to this life he had. Amir’s village was northwest of this tomb? Palace? It was…a mountain of rock. The village was two miles away. Underground! Remember, this had been built over hundreds of years, but you could travel through sandstorms and undisturbed by thieves and other raiders underground. He told Colin to leave the vehicles we had brought and taken some of their vehicles. If anyone saw theirs out, it wouldn’t attract attention. The passage through the ground to and from the village to the mountain was wider. Amir promised to help Colin and took four other men from the mountain with them.

As much as I wanted to see the village that Amir came from, Colin wanted me safe here.

“And what about your safety?” I asked Colin trying to keep fear from my voice.

Colin smiled, but it was a smile that was soft and he knew I was worried. “We don’t know what Tad Morsi wanted.” He said in a tone that said don’t jump to conclusions.

I nodded. “So, leave the stuff there,” I said simply, but he wouldn’t do that for the reasons I was worried about.

Colin nodded. “Okay, worry a little, but don’t go crazy with it.” He kissed me. “I’ll be in touch.” He held up his satellite phone. “I have the locator inside me, you’ll know where I am. We’ll see each other by our computers every night.” He held up the tablet we used. “You can keep track of me here.”

“The program is good and valuable, but I don’t think Mr. Morsi being there was about that,” I said. “Neither do you. With that in mind, be careful!”

Colin smiled now like he normally used. “I’ll be back.” He kissed me gently. “Thanks for worrying about me.”

I nodded. “I always have been and always will be.” I pulled on the shirt he was wearing. “They did a good job with the laundry.” I smiled as I hugged him. “Hurry back and you can put the kilt back on.”

He kissed me again and held me tight. “I’ll be back by dawn the next day.” He said and walked with Amir and the rest…Egyptians and vampire down the tunnel toward the village.

I watched him walk until I couldn’t see him anymore. I came up with a plan to reach Amasis. I knew Colin would never approve, but it was the only thing I could think of. I went looking for George. I found him and Burke together in a chamber those here just visited in lounging and talking on giant pillows.

“George.” I began slowly. “I need you to hear me.”

George looked puzzled. “Okay.” He turned around because of the tone I used. “I get the feeling this is very serious.”

I nodded. “It is.” I looked at George. “The best way to reach Amasis; is to show him.”

George looked puzzled not understanding. “Show him what?”

“That he and I…you are…the same.”

George looked puzzled again and his eyes widened as he got it. “No.”

“George, it’s the only way!”

George looked panicked. “You have the disc!”

“I know, I want you to take it out!”

Burke looked surprised and was shaking his head. “You’ll be a vampire again.” He would refuse!

I nodded. “And show Amasis we are the same.” I began to pace in a circle again. “It’s one thing to tell him what he is, but he’ll be to see we are the same. He can see that the serum will work for himself and how…on me.”

George shook his head. “I can’t do that!”

I nodded going closer to him. “Yes, you can.” I smiled at him. “You don’t want to, but you can.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “If you don’t, I’ll take the disc out myself.” I sighed and sat by him. “When we believed the world was flat, what better way to prove its round, but take us in the sky and show us we’re wrong? We saw what we believed was not true.” I frowned. “I know well how much it hurts to take the serum and I’m not looking forward to doing it again.” I looked at George and Burke. “Amasis is not stupid. He’s a victim…not only by a vampire but of his own beliefs. Ramming two thousand years in his mind would be nearly impossible for him to accept without evidence.” I smiled. “I’ll show him the evidence.”

George was shaking his head the whole time I said what I did. “And you wait until Colin is gone to do this?”

“Of course, I did.” I smiled. “Do you believe he would let me?” I smiled and I really didn’t want to do this, but I didn’t see a choice. “You and I both know,” I chuckled, “if Colin wanted to…he could beat the hell of me if he wanted to! Do you think I don’t know that?”

George nodded hesitantly. “So, instead…he’ll beat the hell out of me!”

I smiled at him. “He won’t do that. We know that, too.” I sat back. “I do have medical knowledge. I can and will do it…even if I do it myself, but the angle I have to go to get to it is awkward. I’d prefer you to get it.”

George looked to the heavens for guidance of some kind.

“You know I’m right,” I said. “Amasis can deny things told him, but he’ll believe his own senses. He’ll see the truth.” I smiled. “He’s been in Hell, now we can get him out.” I waited for George to consider what I asked of him. “How long will it take for the serum to no longer work?”

George thought and looked at me. “Not long. Maybe a couple of days.”

I got up. “The disc is coming out. Now. We don’t have time to waste. Colin will be back a couple of days. By the time he gets back, I’ll be halfway there and it will be too late to not let it play out.”

Burke grumbled. “Colin might kill both of you.”

“Yes.” George said sadly, “but Devon’s right. Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

We went to a chamber George decided would be his lab and used a local anesthetic and took the disc out. I didn’t say anything to anyone else about what I planned, but Gabriella and Alex knew within a few hours.

Gabriella looked at me, squinted her eyes and sniffed. Her eyes widened and she pulled Alex to her side and whispered to Alex.

“You took the disc out.” Alex said. It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

I nodded. “I did. On purpose.” I looked at them. “I want Amasis and Nabia to see what happens.”

Gabriella shook her head. “Daddy will be furious.”

I chuckled and nodded. “You’re right about that.” I looked at them suddenly. “Don’t you dare tell him. He’ll know when he gets back.”

Gabriella gave a laugh that said she was glad not to be in my shoes. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

That night, after sunset Colin called and said he was at the house getting our things. He said that Amir had several trucks they used for the caravans, but they were harder to get across the sands and had to make turns when the way was too sandy or too rocky. He did look at me strangely. I was glad Colin couldn’t sense me through our connection. He asked me if I was alright and I said I was fine. Amasis came from having gotten his blood and looked at me curiously, but said nothing at the moment. It was a couple of hours before sunrise he finally came to me.

“What is happening with you?” Amasis asked.

I smiled. “What do you sense?”

His eyebrows came together. “I sense…” he paused getting closer. “You aren’t feeling like you did when you arrived.”

I nodded at him. “That’s because I’m not.” I smiled and patted him on the shoulder. I could do that, I had his permission to touch him and Nabia from his own mouth. He knew we were similar and I shouldn’t be restricted like the others. “You’ll see tomorrow or the day after.” I had not been a full vampire very long when I was one. It was a weird sensation that came over me. My appetite was gone for food. The hunger for blood was starting, but not a full intensity. Yet. When the sun came up, I went to bed. No, the sun wouldn’t harm me down here, but I could sense it was up. I slept…and I’m sorry for this, but…I slept like the dead! I knew what was happening, but it was a strange sensation I was getting. I noticed more when a young woman was doing something and I got…this feeling. I could see why vampires were considered sexual, because…I’d never really desired a woman or girl much, but right now…she was the most desirable person I had ever seen! Then I realized the smell I got from her was drawing me to her and I saw her pulse in her neck. I was becoming aroused. I felt the venom in me rise and I wanted her so badly. Closing my eyes I forced these sensations back. It was then my computer buzzed.

I grimaced. “Colin,” I muttered to myself but opened the computer. There was Colin’s happy face that changed when he saw mine.

“Devon!” He said now panicked. “What are you doing?”

I knew he would see it, he could tell from my eyes. “What has to be done.”

“No, Devon!” Colin shouted. “You get George to give you the serum right now!” He demanded.

“This is the only way to show Amasis and Nabia we are the same,” I explained. “We can go through the science of it, but they’ll believe their own eyes and senses.”

“Damn it, Devon!” He said and slammed the computer he was using down and cut the connection.

I grinned sadly and looked at my computer for his location. He was still half a day away. I looked at the enhanced map, he may be a full day away when I saw how he had to go. The ground near here was rocky but more difficult to maneuver through. I got up and went to the door of the chamber. Yes, we had a door. I shut the door and secured it with a strong piece of wood against the rock of the chamber making it impossible to get open. A few minutes later Willie and my mother were at the door banging on it.

“Devon!” I heard my mother shout as she banged. “Colin just called and told us you aren’t on the serum! Devon!”

“No, I’m not on the serum, Mom,” I said. “I’ve got to show those two what I am, so they’ll know what they are.”

“Aw, son.” I heard Willie’s voice said almost in tears. “Don’t do this. We can talk to them and explain…”

I smiled when he called me son. “I do love you both and thanks, Dad, but you know this is the best, sure way.”

Willie was nearly crying. “Please, Devon. This is killing us.” His voice broke. “It’s killing your mother and it’s killing me!”

“I know,” I said smiling again. “I’m sorry, but I have to do this.”

I felt the sunrise again. It was about midday when I heard another bang on the door.

“Devon!” I heard Colin shout. “Let me in!”

I hurt, knowing what he might feel. “Let it play out. I’ll return to normal in a week.”

“Devon!!” Colin shouted banging harder.

I was groggy like I had taken a sleeping pill…several sleeping pills. It was only an hour later when I heard a whole other bang, but stronger and harder than a person’s hand. I heard the wood of the door splinter a little, but my wood prop against the door held. I heard the bang again and saw the wooden door break a bit. Again, the bang and I heard the wood shatter. Colin rushed in the room. I opened my eyes a little, the need to rest so strong in me. Colin rushed to my side and turned my head toward him.

“…I don’t care! Give him the serum!” Colin said from a conversation they’d had before entering.

“The sun is up!” George argued back. “We need to wait till sundown. You know that!”

Colin stood and pushed George against the stone wall. “How could you do this!?” Colin waved at me. “You made him what we hated to be!”

“Stop!” I said, still groggy, but I tried to sit up. “Don’t blame George. I insisted. I would have done it myself if he hadn’t. He did it safer.”

George put a hand on Colin’s shoulder as Colin looked in horror at me. “You know he’s right.”

Colin looked back at George in that rage. “Are you crazy!?”

George pulled Colin to look at him. “He’s right.” He said firmly. “Instead of guiding Amasis and Nabia with science and educating a lot about the world and how this works; showing them is the fastest way!” He waved at me. “He’s right.” He looked at Colin. “You know he is.”

I blinked through the grogginess. “Do me a favor,” I said weakly.

“Anything.” Colin sat by me on the large pillow. “What?”

“Clear all humans away when I rise at sundown,” I asked. I shook my head. “Even Chuck and Shelly.” I now hated what I was feeling. The disorientation and the groggy feeling were overwhelming. “I now see how strong the hunger for the blood might be.”

Colin looked at George and Burke. “You heard him. Get those people away. You’ve only got a couple of hours.” He looked at me. “I’ll have blood ready when you wake up fully.”

I shook my head. “No,” I said seeing Colin now completely puzzled. “I need to see Amasis when I get up. He will know I am the same as they are.” I almost cried…if I had tears at that time…when Colin began to cry. “I’m so sorry, Colin. I don’t want to hurt you, but I could see no other way. You would never have let me do this.”

He shook his head as the tears came down unchecked now. “No. I wouldn’t have.” He leaned in kissing me gently. “I couldn’t have.” He finger-combed through my hair as he took my hand in his kissing my fingers. “Rest. It will be sundown soon enough.”

The passing of time when in this state was fast. No dreams…just a lot of nothing. The sensation…the best way to describe it…I felt the sun go down. The great source of burning heat was suddenly gone. I didn’t have to see it. My eyes went open and…I wouldn’t tell Colin, but I got the instant impression of that little guy in the books and movies that kept talking about “his precious” when he lost that ring in the Lord of The Rings book series and movies. Only my “precious” was blood! It was the first thing on my mind as I sat up. Where did I find blood? I needed it and had to have it. I saw Colin look at me suddenly and yes…I at first looked at him as a target, but I got this nauseating feeling at the thought of feeding on him. I sensed so strongly he did not have what I wanted…what I needed…what I had to have no matter the cost.

“Devon?” Colin asked standing carefully. He was ready with the translator on and earpiece in.

“Where’s Amasis?” I asked surprised at how rough my voice was. “I have to get to Amasis. Now!” I said and headed toward the door of our chamber. In the corridor, it was…I could smell where there had been targets before. I could smell that…a delicious steak-like smell I got the first and only other time I’d had blood. Now, it was acting like a Giger Counter, telling me what direction to go. “Amasis. Where do I go?”

Colin came rushing toward me. “This way.” He was about to touch me, but I withdrew my hand.

“Blood,” I said. “I need blood.”

Colin nodded. “I know, but hang on. You’ll get some soon.” He waved me in a direction.

I fought the Giger Counter feeling that told me another direction and continued. We neared a door normally guarded by two guards, but there were none now. It would have been dangerous for them. Colin opened the door and it might have been rude to just barge into a man’s bedroom. Certainly not the bedroom of a god! Amasis was sitting up and looked at us puzzled. He was expecting a servant with his needed nourishment but instead got us. Any other time I would have liked that Amasis slept naked, but now, all I wanted was blood! He got up cautiously and pulled some material around his naked form.

“Look, Amasis,” Colin demanded. “Sense this.” He pointed at me. “He is just like you!”

Amasis looked a little angry at first, but soon, he came closer looking at me. “How?”

I hissed…not in anger, but frustration. This was taking too long. “I am no god, Amasis. I am a vampire! I am a monster by nature, but I am no demon or evil god. This isn’t an afterlife. This isn’t the Otherworld. I did this to show you that you and I are exactly the same in every way. I am no god.” I looked angry now as I know my hiss had shown Amasis the fangs I now felt. “You…are no god. This life isn’t punishment and you are no demon.” I walked closer to Amasis. “Feel it in me. Feel it in you. We are vampires!” Then I caught the smell I desired strong now. I turned instantly to see my mother holding a clay jar. In that jar was what I needed! Willie came in behind her with another clay jar.

Mom smiled and handed the jar to me. “Here, Sweetie. This is what you need.”

It took everything I had not to grab the jar. Raising the jar, that urge I felt with the servant girl returned, and the smell was…the best, most perfectly cooked steak I’d never imagined, but wanted so desperately…that first sip, there are no words. A desert sometimes has some water somewhere. I was beyond that. As soon as I swallowed that first gulp, every fiber of my being was absorbing this precious liquid and another swallow and another. I could only drink so much, so fast. I felt the desire and hunger begin to fade, but I drained the entire jar. I looked at Amasis, who was staring in wonder and in horror at what he’d seen and heard. I panted a couple of times and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. The hand came down bloodied, but I ignored it. I took the jar from Willie. I walked over to Amasis with the blood.

“This is going to be so hard for you,” I said carefully. “You’ve believed something for thousands of years,” I said holding the jar up to him. “I’m about to destroy all of that. I am so sorry.” Amasis looked at the jar. “I know how badly you need this. I did, too.” He took the jar of blood. I smiled at him. “I don’t want to hurt you, but you need to know the truth.” I could see he was thinking about what he’d seen, what he couldn’t deny now. He was processing what he’d learned in a few minutes, but what he thought was true for thousands of years were being questioned…about everything.

Amasis drank the blood. His eyes fixed on me as he consumed the whole jar. He looked angry, but not at any of us. He was angry. When he was finished with the jar, he threw it against the far wall where it shattered. “Get out.” He said to me quietly.

“Amasis…” Colin began.

“Get out!!” Amasis said louder and pointed to the door.

Colin took my hand and led me out of Amasis’ chamber. He closed the door quietly behind us. “He’ll need to process this.”

I nodded. “Sure.” Now I saw Colin, but I felt shame and remorse for what I was and what he’d seen me do. I began to walk away, but he grabbed me, pulling me to him.

“Please don’t,” Colin said hugging me. “Don’t do that. Never leave me.” He said still in our hug. “I know what you’re feeling. I know so well.” He broke from me a little as he ran his fingers over my face. “This is the part of the life I never wanted you to know about.” He smiled. “You are a very, very brave man, Devon.” He shook his head as tears again formed in his eyes. “I don’t know if I would have done that.”

I smiled. “Yes, you would have.” I ran my hands over my face. “I must look hideous.”

Colin shook his head. “No. You don’t.” He smiled. “You’re the man I love. You’re the most beautiful human being.” He smiled more. “I would prefer a little moisture in your eyes, but you are breathtaking; even now.” He kissed me gently. “I love you, Devon.”