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B
rody stood with Alicia, helping her support her own weight. They watched the Nosphoros struggle against the chains. Against the bright lights of the ultraviolet lamps, they could not see the poison spread its black lines through Aleksandar’s veins. He appeared to hold strong against the struggles of the Nosphoros. When he spun away, however, and stumbled, Alicia immediately knew something was wrong. She was struggling towards him before his first stumble.
“No,” she gasped when Aleksandar fell, and again, when he coughed up blood.
It took Lucan a moment to realise what was happening. He stared at Aleksandar before realisation compelled him into action. He skirted the light quickly, running to Aleksandar’s side. He knelt by the prince’s side.
“My lord?” he enquired.
Aleksandar could not answer, his strength and focus centred on forcing his failing lungs to work.
“Aleksandar!” Alicia said as she reached him. Aided by Brody, Alicia sank to the ground. Brody left her to retrieve the syringe the Nosphoros had used on Aleksandar. Alicia placed a hand on Aleksandar’s shuddering shoulder. “What...?” she demanded of Lucan when she saw the black markings spreading over Aleksandar’s body. Lucan straightened, his expression grim. He did not speak until Brody returned, the syringe in his opened palm.
“Dead man’s blood,” Lucan said quietly.
“What?” Alicia demanded. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s poison,” Brody answered her.
“Poison? There’s an antidote, right? Right? There has to be an antidote!”
Brody looked to Lucan. The Opyri grimaced and shook his head. “No,” he whispered. He turned his dark eyes back to Aleksandar, who was still fighting for breath.
“No? What do you mean ‘no’?” Alicia’s voice rose in pitch. “There has to be!”
“There is none,” Lucan said. He shook his head, his eyes still locked on Aleksandar’s back as the prince coughed up more blood.
Tears filled Alicia’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks as she turned back to look at Aleksandar.
Unable to hold his own weight any longer, Aleksandar’s arms buckled, and he fell on his left side. Alicia inched forward and, despite the blood-loss sapping the strength from her limbs, pulled Aleksandar’s head onto her lap.
“Alicia,” Aleksandar choked.
Alicia smiled through her tears and nodded. She stroked his face gently.
“How?”
“I don’t know,” Alicia whispered, still trying to smile bravely for him. “You stopped. You saved me.”
Despite his aching body, Aleksandar reached up to stroke Alicia’s cheek. The motion was slow and uncoordinated, Aleksandar’s control over his movements slipping quickly. His dark gaze sought the details of her features.
Brody turned away from the scene. He had not been fond of Aleksandar, but watching his partner hold the prince as he slowly died gave him uncomfortable feelings of regret and grief. He noticed a small group of Opyri gathered at the top of the stairs, one tall, broadly built man with dark brown hair clearly leading. The dark eyes of the five Opyri were fixed on Aleksandar.
Noticing Brody’s gaze, Lucan looked up also. There was a brief flicker between him and the leader of the small pack. The man jumped from the ledge, landing easily on the ground.
“Dmitri,” Lucan greeted quietly as the man approached.
“The Nosphoros?” Dmitri asked, his eyes still fixed on Aleksandar.
Lucan indicated the smoking pile of bone-white ash that sat in the centre of the circle of ultraviolet lamps, all of which were still blaring. Standing at the edge of the light, Brendon stared at Aleksandar, his eyes wide and wet.
“Brendon,” Lucan called softly. He waved the boy closer. Hesitating only briefly, Brendon walked forward. Dmitri greeted him with a nod. Brendon nodded in return before moving past him and Lucan. He sank slowly to his knees beside Aleksandar.
Turning his dark eyes slowly to him, Aleksandar offered a weak smile.
“You were very brave,” he said between thick coughs. “I am proud of you.”
Unable to bear the words, Brendon burst into tears.
“Don’t cry,” Aleksandar whispered. He awkwardly wiped Brendon’s tears away with his thumb. “It will be all right.”
“You’re dying,” Brendon whispered, the tears still trickling down his cheeks. Aleksandar nodded, then coughed.
A commotion at the top of the stairs announced the arrival of the city’s first responders. Everyone except Brendon and Alicia turned to them, watching the police and paramedics move to the floor of the cavern.
Aleksandar’s eyes rolled and his head slipped from Alicia’s lap.
“No,” Alicia whispered. “Aleksandar, stay with me. Aleksandar. Aleksandar!”
Brody wrapped his arms around Alicia and hauled her back as she screamed Aleksandar’s name through her tears.
“On your feet,” a deep voice said in Brendon’s ear. His eyes not leaving Aleksandar’s unconscious form, Brendon automatically stood and, guided by a strong hand, stepped back away from Aleksandar to make room for the paramedics.
“You are Brendon, yes?” the voice asked him. Brendon looked up to the lean face of an unknown vampire with dark brown hair. He nodded with a frown.
“I am Dmitri. Aleksandar made sure we knew you, and knew that you were under his protection. You are safe with me. Stay close, all right?”
Again, Brendon nodded. He understood the words, and their implication—he might be in danger now that Aleksandar was dead—but he was too numb to think about it. He felt Dmitri’s strong hand on his shoulder and felt comfort. He turned his eyes back to where Aleksandar lay, his body obscured now by paramedics working. He noted their clear eyes. Human paramedics. They would work hard for a pulse that would never be felt.
“No pulse,” one kept saying.
Brendon felt tears sting his eyes again.
Alicia had stopped her screaming and now rested against Brody, watching the paramedics work, tears falling down her face in small rivulets.
“It was the Council all along,” Dmitri said to Lucan.
“Aleksandar knew it was. I didn’t believe him,” Lucan answered with a shake of his head.
“It is not something to expect, even from the Council.”
“This will spark a new civil war. I knew the peace was too good to last.”
Brendon listened to the hushed conversation between the two Opyri as he watched the paramedics. His body went rigid when he heard one say, “I have a pulse!”
“Okay,” said another. “Let’s get him stabilised.”
The paramedics worked faster.
The words sent a chill through Alicia. “I have a pulse.”
She stared at the three paramedics surrounding Aleksandar in disbelief. Her eyes flicked up to Lucan, who stared down at the scene with an open mouth. Their eyes met briefly, and Alicia saw that Lucan was as confused as she.
There should be no pulse. Even if Aleksandar had not been poisoned, even if he was standing before them now, wearing his small smile, there would be no pulse.
Overcome, Alicia felt her legs buckle as the world slipped away.
He was expanding. It hurt, as if he was filling a hole too small to fit all of him. He could feel his skin tighten around himself, squeezing painfully at his joints. Then he was floating down, softly down, away from the darkness he had known for so long. As he floated down, he could hear a frustrated scream. It faded from his mind even as he became more aware of his own body; of the incredible pain it was in, and of the soft voices murmuring around him. Steeling himself against the light he knew would hurt his eyes, he forced them open.
“Hello, Mr. Svetoslav,” Doctor Everett greeted him with a forced smile.
Aleksandar frowned.
“Surprised to be here, I suppose?”
Not having the strength to speak, Aleksandar nodded, and instantly regretted it. He winced as pain shot through him.
“Take care,” Doctor Everett said softly, placing a hand on Aleksandar’s shoulder. The hand felt cold. “Here, let me get you some morphine.”
Aleksandar wanted to protest, but his voice was not working. Moments later, the pain ebbed away, and Aleksandar relaxed against his pillows. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.
“How?” he asked, his voice made husky by the attempt.
“We’re not sure,” Doctor Everett said. “We’re not sure about a lot of things. My lord, I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to have you listen, okay?”
Aleksandar’s frown deepened into a scowl. He watched as Doctor Everett removed the stethoscope from around his neck and affix the ear pieces in Aleksandar’s ears. He placed the end of the instrument against Aleksandar’s chest.
It took Aleksandar a moment to realise that the slow, unsteady rhythm he heard was his own heart.
His heart was beating.
The shock sent a sharp pain through his chest and his heart lost its way. Aleksandar squeezed his eyes shut, willing the pain away. Another cooling wave moved through Aleksandar as a second shot of morphine entered his blood.
Opening his eyes again, Aleksandar whispered, “How?”
“I don’t know,” Doctor Everett whispered back.
Despite himself and the answers he needed to hear, Aleksandar fell unconscious again.
When next Aleksandar woke, the room was empty, except for Alicia, who sat by his bed, her hand on his, watching him intently. In spite of being bedridden and doing nothing, Aleksandar felt weaker. He turned his head, feeling the tug of oxygen tubes at his nose. His condition was worsening.
“Hey handsome,” Alicia greeted with a smile, though her eyes were damp and red from tears shed not very long ago. She stared at Aleksandar, unable to break away from his eyes. They were no longer dark, but pale grey with flecks of green.
“Hello beautiful,” Aleksandar answered. The act of speaking felt incredibly draining. He closed his eyes briefly.
“Everyone’s outside,” Alicia said. “Doctor Everett wants to speak with you. Do you want me to call him in?”
Aleksandar nodded.
“Okay.” Alicia rose and went to the door. She said nothing when she opened it. She simply opened the door and returned to her place beside Aleksandar’s bed, taking his hand in hers once more.
Brendon was in first, walking solemnly in front of Detective Brody. Brody went to the back of the room and rested against the wall. Brendon continued to the other side of Aleksandar’s bed.
“Hey,” Aleksandar greeted the youth, offering a small smile.
“Hey,” Brendon answered, attempting a smile in return.
Next in was Doctor Everett, followed by Lucan and then Dmitri. Aleksandar greeted them all with a nod, which they returned. Everyone looked grim.
“My lord,” Doctor Everett said softly from the end of the bed. “I’m afraid I don’t have good news.”
“I’m dying,” Aleksandar said, saving him the trouble.
Doctor Everett nodded. “Systemic shutdown. Your organs are failing. The symptoms are similar to an extreme case of blood poisoning. You aren’t healing because, well, you’re not Opyri anymore. You actually should be dead already, since you were injected with dead man’s blood. We still don’t understand how... what happened.”
Aleksandar smiled, closing his eyes and relaxing back against the pillows.
“Human,” he whispered. “I am human again.”
“Yes,” Doctor Everett said.
Aleksandar’s smile broadened.
“Mr. Svetoslav, your newfound humanity is... well, it’s not helping you. We’re trying to find donors, but the number of organs that need replacing... It’s pretty much all of them. Look, it’s unlikely we’re going to be able to find a match for each of them in time. Even if we could, surviving the operations in your state... Chances are not great for that.”
Aleksandar cocked his head at Doctor Everett, his expression calm. The slight smile that had been his default expression returned.
“Don’t,” he said. “There are more worthy recipients, better lives that need saving.”
“All right,” Doctor Everett said. “The only other option I can see is to try and Embrace you ag—”
“No,” Aleksandar said sharply. “No,” he said again, softer this time.
“Aleksandar, you will die.”
Aleksandar nodded. “I know,” he whispered.
Beside him, Alicia tried to stifle a sob. Aleksandar squeezed her hand briefly. “No,” he said again.
Doctor Everett sighed. “You understand that if we don’t try, you will die.”
Nodding, Aleksandar whispered, “Yes.”
“Please?” Brendon asked. “Let them at least try. Let them try to save you.”
Aleksandar turned to him. “I have already been saved, Brendon,” he answered, smiling sadly at him. “I am human again. My soul is my own once more.” Aleksandar’s smile widened slightly. “That is more precious to me than all the years I have and may live.”
“I don’t want you to die,” Brendon whispered.
Aleksandar nodded. “I know.”
“Aleksandar,” Doctor Everett interrupted. “Are you certain? Embracing you really is the only way to save you.”
“I will not give up my soul again,” Aleksandar answered. “Not for any price.”
“That cannot be your answer,” Lucan said, stepping forward. He looked down at Aleksandar with a frown.
The cold will of iron that had defined Aleksandar for so long had been replaced by fatigue. Aleksandar’s pale face was no longer merely pale, but ashen. To Lucan it seemed that Aleksandar had become impossibly frail.
“It is,” Aleksandar replied.
Silence fell over the room as everyone regarded Aleksandar.
“Alicia,” Aleksandar said. “Would you give me a moment with Lucan and Dmitri?”
Alicia nodded. She stood. “Come on, you,” she said to Brendon. “Let’s get a coffee or something.”
Brendon nodded. He went around the bed to Alicia’s waiting side. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and together they left to visit the cafeteria. Brody followed. Aleksandar watched them leave before turning his attention to the remaining people in the room.
“Stay, Doctor,” Aleksandar said as Doctor Everett moved to leave as well. “You should probably hear this.” He took a deep breath, struggling against lungs that no longer had the strength to function. He winced, then looked to Lucan.
“You returned.”
“I said I would.”
Aleksandar nodded. “Thank you.”
Lucan offered a faint smile. “It was the Council. You were right.”
Nodding, Aleksandar said, “None of it would have happened were it not for...” He closed his eyes. “It doesn’t matter anymore. What will you do now?”
Shrugging, Lucan said, “I had figured I would resume my post as valet of the Prince of the House, or at least an advisor. I honestly had not thought much beyond trying to get to you in time.”
Aleksandar smiled. “Very out of character for an Aspara.”
Lucan permitted himself a small chuckle.
“Tell the new Prince of House Svetoslav that you have my blessing. He would be an idiot not to have you by his side. Which brings me to you, Dmitri.”
The Opyri stepped forward.
“Don and the others—”
“Are dead,” Dmitri said. “I know. I had people go to the House.”
“Then it falls to you to call the Convening. A new prince must be selected, and soon. I do not think the Shadow Council will let this go with my death. House Svetoslav must be united if they’re going to survive the coming storm.”
Dmitri grimaced, then nodded his head. “We will be prepared.”
“Good. You will find all the papers in the study. There are also provisions for Brendon and Alicia. Promise me you will honour them.”
“I swear it.”
Aleksandar offered a smile and small nod. The effort cost him, and his face contorted in pain. “Doctor,” he said through gritted teeth. “May I ask a favour?”
“It’s not legal here,” Doctor Everett said, guessing Aleksandar’s request.
Managing a small laugh, Aleksandar shook his head. “So?”
Doctor Everett sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I can,” he said at last.
“Thank you. In that case, please send for Alicia and Brendon. I want to say goodbye.”
Doctor Everett nodded. He bowed slightly and strode from the room.
“You truly are an enigma,” Lucan said to Aleksandar. “The only Opyri to have ever broken the curse. You will not be forgotten.”
“Immortality,” Aleksandar said, smiling. “Without the heavy cost.”
Lucan nodded.
“Aleksandar?” Alicia asked timidly from the door.
Everyone turned to face her as she stood, one arm wrapped around Brendon’s shoulders. Aleksandar smiled at her. Sensing that Aleksandar wanted some privacy, Lucan and Dmitri both bowed and exited the room. Brendon returned to his place on the left side of Aleksandar’s bed. Alicia resumed her seat on Aleksandar’s right. She placed her hand on Aleksandar’s once more.
“I’m sorry,” Aleksandar whispered. “For everything you’ve both been through on my account.”
Alicia smiled, but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Aleksandar struggled to draw a breath. “Brendon,” he said. “I am so honoured to have known you.”
“Don’t,” Brendon whispered. “Don’t do all this sappy goodbye crap.”
Despite the throbbing pain that coursed through him, Aleksandar reached up and touched Brendon’s cheek. “Please,” he said. “Just listen.”
The tears trickled down Brendon’s cheeks as he stared down at Aleksandar’s face. There was no mistaking the pain Aleksandar was now in. His ashen face had a thin gloss of sweat, and he trembled.
This time it was Brendon who struggled to breathe. He could find no words to say.
“I have made provisions for you in my will. House Svetoslav will honour it.”
“I don’t want anything,” Brendon said.
Aleksandar smiled at him. “But I want you to have something. I was never given the opportunity for a family of my own. By the time I realised I wanted one, it was too late. I know I wasn’t always available or even agreeable, but you were the closest thing to a son I have had.”
Brendon stayed silent, staring down at Aleksandar with tears streaming down his face.
“I want you to know that I am proud of you. So proud.”
Breaking down, Brendon buried his head in his hands, sinking to the chair by the bed and sobbing. Aleksandar’s hand dropped, hitting the railing of the bed. He winced.
“Aleksandar,” Alicia said, trying to find comforting words.
“Alicia,” Aleksandar answered, turning to her. Despite how obviously he was deteriorating, he smiled cheekily, and his grey eyes sparkled with impishness when he looked at her, answering her in a tone that matched her own almost perfectly. His smile faded.
“Alicia, I’m dying.”
“I know,” Alicia whispered.
“I’m so sorry,” Aleksandar said again, pain and regret overcoming him. Tears of his own, clear and unbloodied, trickled from his eyes. “I am so sorry for everything.”
“It wasn’t your doing,” Alicia said, moving herself up onto the bed and wrapping her arms around Aleksandar in a gentle embrace.
“I should have walked away,” Aleksandar said. “I should not have involved you in this mess.”
“I wouldn’t have let you,” Alicia answered. “I would’ve gotten involved without your help.”
Aleksandar shook his head, but could not speak and weep at the same time, so he simply let himself relax in Alicia’s embrace, allowing the tears for a moment longer.
“For one hundred years,” Aleksandar murmured. “I thought I would never love again. One hundred years...”
Alicia was denied a response when Doctor Everett returned, pushing a contraption that looked not unlike an oxygen mask connected to a propane tank. Alicia sat up and stared at it.
“Helium and nitrogen,” Doctor Everett said apologetically.
“Helium and...” Alicia trailed off when she realised what that meant. She looked down at Aleksandar, who struggled to keep the pain he felt from his expression. Fighting back a fresh bout of tears, Alicia nodded. She slipped from the bed and stood.
“What’s that for,” Brendon demanded, rising to his feet.
“Brendon,” Aleksandar started to say.
“No!” Brendon snapped. “You can’t! You can’t! You’re not allowed!”
Immediately, Alicia was at his side, wrapping her arms around him. “He can’t!” Brendon wailed, collapsing against Alicia. Doctor Everett stopped setting the machine up at Aleksandar’s silent request.
“Brendon,” he called softly. “Come here. Please.”
It took Brendon a moment to collect himself enough to approach Aleksandar’s bed.
“Look at me, Brendon,” Aleksandar said. “Look at me.” Brendon turned dull eyes to Aleksandar.
“No matter how hard I fight, I won’t last the night. I have lived almost seven hundred years. I’m in pain, Brendon. I hurt. You have to let me go.”
“I don’t want you to die.”
Aleksandar smiled. “I know,” he said. “But it’s not all bleak. I have my soul back. I don’t go to oblivion any longer.”
“Where do you go then?” Brendon asked.
“I don’t know,” Aleksandar answered. “But I do know that one day I will meet you there. And when I do, I expect a full recounting of all you have done with your life.”
Brendon scoffed. “You don’t know there is anything after,” he said.
“Of course there is,” Aleksandar said. “And I promise I will watch over you while I’m there.”
Brendon started crying again; a more gentle grief this time.
“Come here,” Aleksandar said, opening up one arm. Brendon, feeling lost and in need of comfort, sat on the bed and let himself be held. Aleksandar extended a hand to Alicia, who walked around the bed to the other side. She climbed on and pulled Aleksandar close, wrapping her free arm around Brendon as well.
“I need you both to promise me something,” Aleksandar murmured to them. “Promise me that you will live; really live. Don’t let the end of my life be the end of yours. You have so much to offer.”
“I promise,” Alicia whispered.
Brendon took a moment to answer, but then he said quietly, “I promise.”
Aleksandar smiled. He closed his eyes as Doctor Everett lowered the mask over his mouth and nose and strapped it in place.
“The helium and nitrogen will displace the oxygen in your system,” he said. “It will be as easy and painless as falling asleep.”
Aleksandar nodded and, hesitating briefly, Doctor Everett turned the handle. The small hiss of gas moving through the tubing to the mask was the only indication that the equipment was working.
Alicia held Aleksandar close, her hand on his chest. She could feel his unsteady heartbeat falter, then slow.
“I love you, Aleksandar Zograf,” she whispered in his ear as his heart beat its last.