Part 32 (1/2)

”How do you know they haven't already found Herm and Sheb?” Sage asked.

”I would sense it if they were in danger,” Seraphim said. ”Our mental bond is very strong.”

”With all the power you have, why did you fight those people at the cave?” Trixie asked. ”You could have used mind manipulation or something.”

”As I said, some of the ones I met had powerful magic as well. The others had mind connections to Sol-I mean Rafe. I couldn't risk him learning about the Originals by connecting to me through their minds.”

”I agree with Trixie about raiding Sir Edward's,” Vincent said. ”Flush the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds out. Adam, what do you say?”

”I think you're right,” said the First Father. ”Trixie, you, and I will organize the raid. The rest of the Jury-except for Marina-will guard the Original's cave in case of an attack. Even if Sir Edward and Rafe send a small army, they'll be no match for the Jury's powers and they should be able to hold them off until the other Originals arrive. Marina, Matthew, and Sage will spend the next three days with Herm and Sheb.”

”And Hannah,” Seraphim said.

”Why has she been allowed involvement in this?” Pilar demanded. ”She's an infant whom we scarcely know.”

”She's my mate. Herm and Sheb are my family. That's reason enough.” Seraphim's eyes fixed on Pilar's until she looked away.

”All right. It's decided. We'll rest here for the day, then begin our plans at dusk. Adjourned.” Adam stood and everyone disbursed.

Back in their room, Seraphim and Hannah lay wrapped in each other's arms.

”I can't believe I'm actually going to meet them,” Hannah said. ”Seraphim, what are they like? What will they think of me?”

”They'll love you.” His arms tightened around her.

”I hope so,” she murmured.

”I'm more concerned with what your mother will think of me.”

Hannah sat up, her brow furrowed. Then she laughed and kissed him. ”Seraphim, sometimes you're such a jerk.”

He smiled and tugged her close, though it was a long time before he was able to sleep. After ten thousand years, it was almost over.

Upon arriving at the Originals' cave, the Jury took s.h.i.+fts guarding the area so each could meet with Herm and Sheb. Even the most stubborn managed to be touched by the Originals' sincerity as well as their power.

Seraphim waited before introducing Hannah, Sage, and Matthew. He wanted them to speak with Herm and Sheb without the Jury's curious eyes.

Finally, every Jury member had taken their position above ground, and Seraphim guided Hannah, Sage, and Matthew into the cave. He heard the speeding of their heartbeats, or was it his own? Each of them had a reason for excitement or anxiety regarding the Originals. Hannah because they were Seraphim's family, Matthew because questioning Originals had been his fantasy from the moment he learned vampires were biological rather than supernatural, and Sage because, more than any of them, he belonged to the Originals.

As they stepped into the cave's utter blackness, it took even their vampiric eyes a moment to adjust.

Herm and Sheb sat on their chairs, faces lifted and expressions kind and curious as their guests approached.

Seraphim grasped Hannah's hand and tugged her closer to the Originals. ”This is my mate,” he told them. ”Hannah.” Sheb extended her hand, and Hannah took it.

She's lovely, Sheb-like Herm-spoke directly into their guests' minds. It was the most natural way for them to communicate. You've made Sera very happy. For that we're grateful.

Hannah smiled nervously as she responded. I'm afraid I'm not very good at telepathy yet.

You're doing very well for one so young, Herm reached for her other hand. You have a good spirit - the sort that has the ability to use the gift of what you call vampirism well.

I will try, she promised. And I will do my best to make Seraphim - Sera - happy.

He deserves that, Sheb said. And I know he will do the same for you. You are in his soul, Hannah.

And he's in hers, Herm glanced at Sheb. It is the sort of match I've always wished for Sera.

Thank you, Hannah said. Seraphim felt her relax for the first time. He sensed the Originals and Hannah liked one another, as he knew they would. Hannah returned to Seraphim's side, and he slipped his arm around her waist.

Motioning toward the young blond boy standing beside Matthew, he said, ”This is Sage, biological son of Luci and Ev. He's been adopted by the hybrids Brett Jiminez and Mercedes Machado.”

Matthew and Adam's biological parents, Herm nodded, glancing from Sage to Matthew. Seraphim has told us much about both of you and your family.

I hope you can tell us more, Sage said. Though a child, he'd already mastered telepathy completely. Seraphim nearly smiled. There was no doubt this child was a pure Original, in spite of how so much of his birthright had been robbed from him. Over a year ago, when Matthew had found him, trapped in the lab of an evil hybrid scientist, Sage's claws and fangs had been surgically removed using platinum tools. Because of this, healing had been slow and regeneration impossible. Inside, he was a vampire, but his natural defenses and equipment for pleasure-giving had been literally torn from him.

We knew your parents well, Sheb didn't try to disguise her emotions. We believed your mother to be dead and had no idea that Luci had been keeping her captive for so many centuries. It was only after Sera told us of Matthew's rescue of you that we realized Ev had been alive but killed by hud's hand after he'd taken you from her. She was a beautiful woman -far too good for him. I see much of her in you.

Vm glad, Sage's large eyes glistened. I hope I have nothing of my father in me.

But you do, Herm told him. It seems you've only claimed his strengths. You have hud's intelligence and his magnificent psychic abilities. That much is obvious. But I sense none of his malice or insanity in you.

In spite of his attempt to remain calm and collected, Sage's emotions, soaring between happiness, anger, curiosity, and longing, cried out to everyone in the cave. His love for his adopted parents could not be doubted, yet these Originals offered him a connection to his past he had never dreamed of experiencing.

Sheb held out her arms to Sage who took a slow step forward, then bent to accept her embrace. He closed his eyes, holding Sheb tightly-the first of his own kind to care for him since his mother had been murdered.

Sera has asked if you wanted to leave with us, Sheb said.

Yes.

But he said you refused. Have you reconsidered?

No, but I would like you to tell me about my mother. I'd like to see her again through your memories. I was so young when I was taken from her that mine are distorted. I know I felt safe with her, just as I remember fearing my father.

You're very strong, Sage, Herm said. You could have turned to hatred after what was done to you, but instead you've made a good life for yourself.

That's only because I've had help, he replied, glancing at Matthew.

Yes, Herm sighed, there are good people here. If there had been more on Atlantis, perhaps we would have thrived after all.

”I understand why it's dangerous for you to stay and why you don't want to settle here,” Matthew spoke aloud. ”But can't you offer us some of your knowledge? Just for scientific purposes, so we can help our own kind as well as humans.”

Herm smiled. Matthew Winter. A fascinating piece of work you are.

You have many questions, Sheb also looked amused as she glanced at Matthew.

”They can wait,” Matthew said, his eyes on Sage. The doctor's pleasure at seeing his young friend reunited with the Originals was apparent.

”No they can't.” Sage reluctantly disentangled himself from Sheb and stood beside Matthew. ”In the lab where Matthew rescued me, there were others being experimented on. The doctor who was in charge of the tests had served my father. As payment, my father provided him not only with me to experiment on, but with much of the technology to perform his gruesome tests and also with creatures from the home world called ”werewolves” here. The scientists blended the wolves with vampires and created a monstrous species who have endured-and caused-unbelievable suffering.”