Blueblood

Story: Blueblood

Chapter 29 Showing Them the Truth

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

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Devon shows Amasis what he really is

Showing Them 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 to do it quickly. 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. "Oh, no." He shook his head, "No, no, no."

"George, it's the only way!"

George looked panicked. "You have the disc inserted!"

"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! "You're going to go through the week of Hell again!?"

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!"

"Why not?"

"Because of the active venom!" George argued. "When the sun goes down, the venom is active and the serum works! The sun comes out and the serum forces sleep and isn't active. I've told you that. That's why the serum works at sundown."

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." Colin held my hands to his lips. "Now, we'll go get some serum."

I smiled but wasn't going. "Well, I intend to, but not yet."

Colin's eyes grew. "Why? He saw you were a vampire! You need to get this under control! He knows!"

I nodded and ran my fingers over Colin's face. "I know and believe me, I will. I hate all this." I shook my head. "And you went through this every day for almost two centuries!? I heard what you said about it, but having this one day! Two?" I hugged him again. "I have more empathy for what you went through. Even if it is on a lesser scale."

Colin smiled and then shook his head. "Okay, but why stay like this? You did it."

I nodded. "That was just the first sample. We have Nabia. And I'm sure Amasis will want to confirm what I am another time." I shook Colin a little. "I have just taken a huge wrecking ball to everything he held dear and thought he knew! I can't back down now...not yet."

Colin gave a frustrated grunt. "We have worked so hard to get rid of this vampire curse and you go back."

I rolled what was left of my eyes. "I'll be the same as I was soon!" Now that I had my needed blood, I looked at Colin. His shirt had been stained with sweat and now that I could smell better...vampires can stink. Bacteria liked vampire sweat as much as any creature. Colin now looked a little...tired wasn't the word, but he stumbled a little. I grabbed him before he fell. "Colin! When did you eat last?"

He shook his head. "I don't remember."

I looked around. "Where's Amir?"

"Back in the tunnel," Colin said. "I ran ahead."

That was all due to me. "Oh, baby, you need to eat. Now." I said pulling his arm around my shoulders. "Let's go." I headed toward the dining chamber. His legs started to give out. "I'm so sorry, Colin."

Colin nodded as he leaned on me more. "I know. I was worried. I may have burned too much of what little I carried. I was in a hurry."

I nodded. "I'm sorry," I said kissed the side of his head as we headed to get him something to eat.

Colin stopped and pressed me against a stone wall. "Hear me!" He said gruffly as he leaned in close, not even an inch between our faces. "You promise me...and I mean you say it! You will never, ever do this again!" He waited as I smiled. "Why are you smiling? I'm serious."

I nodded and closed the fraction of an inch and kissed him deeply. "I just like having you close to me, Colin." And then I hurriedly nodded. "I promise. I'll never do this again." I looked at Colin. "Unless it's you I do it for. I can't promise I won't if you're in trouble." Colin wavered a little and started to go down again. "And we'll talk more..." I said pulling him with me, "...after you eat."

Colin smiled. "I stink, too, don't I?"

"Yes."

In the dining chamber, we all joined Colin as he ate. Mom was still looked at me in worry.

"Did you have any resistance with Tad Morsi?" I asked.

Colin was chewing happily as he shook his head. "None."

"That's odd," I said thinking about that.

Colin nodded. "Stan and Mark are still back at Amir's place in the village, checking for tracking devices and things." He chuckled. "You know how Mark is."

I nodded. "Rightfully so. I don't guess you had time to see where and how he gets the email."

Colin smiled. "And you guess wrong." He said proudly. "The tower he referred to is simply a tall group of metal poles on top of which is a satellite dish. What he's using for emails is sort of old. A very simple Mailstation, no real PC. Basic for sending and receiving email." He shrugged. "It took a minute to figure that out."

I chuckled. "You had time to waste?"

Colin smiled. "Lots of time."

Amir came in the dining area but looked tired.

"Sorry about leaving you back there, Amir." Colin smiled.

Amir nodded and sat near us. "I understand." He smiled. "You were worried about Devon." He looked at me, but he frowned. "You received Amasis' kiss? But I thought..."

I shook my head. "No, I didn't receive Amasis' kiss." I took Colin's hand, one he could spare while eating, that is. "I got Colin's kiss a while back."

Amir looked more confused and looked at Colin as Amir was now looking in awe. "Then you are...a god?"

Colin shook his head. "No, he's not."

"We'll be explaining it as we go," I said. "We're not gods and we're no better or worse than you are."

"But you can't die?" Amir asked trying to understand.

Colin nodded. "We'll explain that, too."

There was a commotion in the corridor. We heard people approaching.

"...but husband. I don't understand." We heard Nadia's voice say.

Amasis came in followed by Nabia and two servants. "I would speak with you." He said to me, now much less the proud man he was.

I nodded. "Of course."

He nodded once and walked back down the corridor.

Nabia looked at me and knew I was the same as Amasis and instantly bowed. "Forgive me."

I rose from where I was sitting and walked to her. "Don't do that," I said pulling her upright again. "I don't want that. You are as good as anyone. Don't bow to me."

"You are like Amasis," Nabia said almost reverently.

I nodded. "I am, but don't bow to me." I looked to where Amasis had gone. "I need to talk with him," I said. "Stay with my friends. They can explain." I waved to the others in the dining area and went after Amasis.

I went quickly after Amasis. Okay, this place underground was huge. After twenty-five hundred years, it had everything. This was not just an underground palace. It was a city underground. They had carved a few more places down here than just the palace. Where I found Amasis was...a temple? Here they had painstakingly carved and erected decorative pillars with Egyptian drawings...writings on them. These had not faded. This was elegant. There were several pillars, but four stood in the center. Large statues, in gold and stone, with dark heads of birds, the jackal all with bodies of humans. Other figures were carved in walls of Isis (I knew of her).

Amasis was leaning over what was an altar in the center of the four pillars. A large place where they burned...whatever. There were tall lamps or containers that stood higher than a man but burned to light the darkness. Amasis turned to me. His whole world had been called into question. "Well, here they are." He waved at the statues. "Every god is here." He pointed out the jackal's head. "Anubis." He pointed to one with the head of a bird. "Horus." He spread his arms to indicate the whole temple. "All of them are here." He walked toward me slowly. "I made sure of it. No god was forgotten and given no reason to be jealous or feel left out." He looked at the many idols. "But it's not real, is it?"

"I can't answer that," I said. "When it comes to religious beliefs, those are kind of private and personal." I walked a little closer to Amasis. "If you're asking if I believe in them..." I shook my head, "...I don't. Religion is maybe important. In many cases, I think they are good sources of guidelines...to guide people's lives." I sighed. "I was raised in a religion..." I waved at the idols, "...not this one. Is it true? I can't say. With study, I sort of became aware that it was more a way to explain things in the world. How we got here and how we should behave promising reward if we do behave and punishment if we don't. I have little to no evidence it's true." I shrugged. "Do I have a soul?" I shrugged again. "I hope we all do."

Amasis looked at the many writings on the wall. "You are like me." He said casting a look at me. "I feel it." He shook his head as he walked slowly. "This is not an afterlife?" He asked. "But I don't die." He turned to me with that statement standing. "Neither will you."

I nodded. "No, you haven't." I moved closer. I wanted to give comfort with a touch, but he might not appreciate that right now. "And unless someone kills me, or an accident...I won't for a while." I smiled. "You're the oldest man I've met." I chuckled. "I thought that was Colin for a while and then I met Burke."

Amasis nodded. "The fact that I continued to live made me a god to these people." He shrugged. "I knew their parents, grandparents, great grandparents...all those before them." He frowned. "I sense you're the same and you tell me it's because of this..." he struggled with the word, "...vampire?"

I nodded. "Yes, there is a venom in our bodies that makes us vampires."

Amasis shook his head again. "I never knew this word before you came." He looked at me annoyed. "I've been alive for a long, long time. You come here and in a week, it's all gone."

I was guilty. "I am sorry."

Amasis nodded. "But it's the truth, isn't it?"

I chuckled and raised my hands out to stop this train of thought. "I'm not going there. Your beliefs are your beliefs."

Amasis looked very troubled now. "I've wasted time here."

I looked surprised. "What? Why do you think that?"

"I am out of time!" Amasis said mournfully. "There are things you take for granted that I have no understanding." He waved at my translator. "That...whatever...that makes me understand you and you understand me."

Now, I was right next to him. "The world moved on, but you remained the same; to say you wasted time? No, I don't think that at all." I waved at the temple. "This is nothing short of amazing. You built a city under the ground. In any time period, this is miraculous!"

Amasis shook his head. "But I haven't grown." He looked at me and as other vampires moved emotionally, he would be crying if he had tears. "I stagnated!" He looked at me. "Why are you here?"

Here it was. Truth time. "We came together seeking others like us. There are many others that have what we have. We seek out those and try to bring them into this world." I looked at him more in the eyes. "I will show you how to get back in the world."

He nodded. "Okay, but you didn't seek me out specifically."

I smiled. "In a way, yes, we did. There are..." I thought about how to explain it better, "...others like you and me who are in a position of power. So far, I've met Marissa and Edwin. Edwin is like us and they are in a position of power to do something for others like us in their worlds." I put my hand on his arm. "We did seek you out by name but didn't know you. Now, we do. Are there more like us here?"

Amasis shrugged. "There were more at one time. Now, there's just me and Nabia."

"You've had wives," I said. "You've lived a long time. You mentioned there were others that got you the gift of the kiss. Where are they?"

Amasis looked pained. "They are no more." He turned from me and looked so sad. "They just vanished. They dared go out there." He waved at the surface. "I knew I couldn't. They knew they couldn't, but went anyway." He turned back to face me. "They chose oblivion rather than endure this afterlife...or whatever with me."

I nodded. "Maybe." Now that he was understanding more, I dared to ask. "There are others...not like us, but...they are more demonic than we are or others like us are. As I understand it, they are bald, as in no hair anywhere, naked and..." I smiled. "...sorry, but they do not have everything a man should have." I waved down at my crotch and pointed toward his own. "They lack certain things."

He smiled and nodded. "Oh, yes...the old ones." He shook his head. "They would attack my people sometimes and turn them into others...we're kind of like them, but not. They are incapable of language, but retained most everything." He waved toward my crotch and held his own briefly. "I thought they were demons. I had as many of them destroyed as I could find them. I don't know if there are any left."

"Old ones?" I repeated. "But you recognize what they are."

He nodded. "They are more ancient than I am." He walked more into the temple and motioned for me to follow. He went to an area where there were scrolls and parchments tucked in slots. "There are writings in one of these...about the creation of these beings." He waved at the wall of parchments. "It's been a while since I've read them."

"They were created?"

Amasis nodded. "To become warriors." He explained. "About five thousand years before I was even born, there was a ruler. He wanted to seize control and power over other people in other lands." He began looking through the scrolls. "According to the writings...there was a man capable of magic." He smiled at me. "They believed in magic, too. They had a sorcerer that had the knowledge to create poisons, elixirs, and potions...he wanted to create an army." He found the scroll. "Here it is." He handed me the scroll that I could not read without a scanner. Even if I had a scanner, the writing...the language may not be in the database, therefore, we would not be able to read it until we learned how or taught Buddy to read it. "This sorcerer used the elixir on women that were pregnant. There were many failures, but over decades, he got a birth that began the creation of these things."

"But you read this?" I asked holding the scroll.

He nodded. "It took a few hundred years for me to figure it out, but I can to a degree."

I smiled I said bringing him into one of those manly, one-armed bro-type hugs. "You still have value," I said. "Our magic is limited." I held up the translator. "We need you to teach this language to this." I shook my head as I looked at the scroll. "I knew the answer was here." I put the scroll back on the shelf. "I'd like one of us...a man that knows how to work this..." I held my translator out, "...magic to come and put the writings on this scroll in here to try to understand it." I looked at Amasis carefully. "Would you mind if we did that?"

Amasis shrugged. "If it will help, sure."

I patted him on the shoulder. "Thank you." His entire world was called into question today and yet here he was. "You are a remarkable man, Amasis."

Amasis looked surprised. "Why? I simply haven't died."

I smiled shaking my head. "No, you are. There are some of us...who after a period of time...lose that part of themselves that is human. You kept yours for over two thousand years!"

Amasis nodded. "There were times I felt it slipping, but with concentration, I fought it."

"That's remarkable." I pressed to him to let him know just how remarkable that was. "That is nothing short of a miracle. I see before me a man that fought and won against the odds." I looked at him closer. "I hope I can call you friend now."

He nodded. "And I you," He smiled. "I still need time to get...used to this thinking."

I nodded. "Take your time, but tomorrow, I'll begin taking the medication that makes me able to go in the outside world. You and Nabia need to witness this so you understand what has to happen. You'll see the results and when you're ready...or if you decide not to...you'll understand more. Then we can start educating about this world. Does that sound plausible?"

He smiled. "And you went without this medication just to show me?" Amasis nodded. "That's very plausible." Then he smiled and hugged me. He hugged me. "I will witness this transformation and learn about the world."

"There are dangers out there for us. You need to be aware of them." I said cautiously. I was aware of where the sun was in the sky. "I have time for a bath." I smiled. "Care to join us?" I noticed stubble the first time on Amasis. "You need to shave."

He rubbed his face and head. "I sort of got distracted." He grinned.

I nodded. "I know, and I am sorry for doing that to you."

He chuckled. "The truth is...I've been doubting all this..." he waved at the temple. "...even before I was a god..." he smiled. "...or vampire. You just confirmed what I suspected."

"But I am sorry."

He nodded. "Well, let's bathe." He sighed. "Then I will tell Nabia about all you've told me."

I looked at him stopping his movement. "It is love with Nabia, isn't it?"

He nodded. "Yes. She is unlike many I married...but she began falling into this sadness recently. Maybe this knowledge will help."

"And Amir?" I asked.

Amasis smiled. "He's my son. I am not responsible for his being, but...he is my son. I don't think, I never was responsible for a child before. He is Nabia's child. I assisted with his upbringing."

"He seems also remarkable." I grinned. "Willie is like that for me. He is not responsible for my being, but I am seeing him as a father now."

Amasis and I began walking back to the others and the bath.

"He's very loyal to you," I said.

Amasis chuckled. "There were others with children that I married. I loved all of them. Amir is the last one that joined me as family." He nodded. "I promoted him because he was Nabia's child at first, but he earned his rank and place in the guard."

Getting back to the communal bath, I saw Mark and Stan in the bath with the others.

Mark looked at me and his eyes widened. "You are a vampire."

I nodded. "I have been a while." I chuckled. I smiled at Colin. "I'll be returning back with the rest of you tomorrow. I'm going on the serum again."

Colin let out a breath of relief. "Good." Then he shook his head. "You know what you're in for."

I nodded as I began pulling my clothes off. "I do." I waved at Amasis. "Stan, Mark..." I began. "This is Amasis. He is Pharaoh here."

Stan also was looking surprised. "THE Amasis?"

I nodded. "THE Amasis."

Stan started to rise.

Mark held him back. "What are you doing?"

"He's Pharaoh. Royalty. It's respectful to rise." Stab said not understanding why Mark didn't see that.

"Showing your wiener is not that much a sign of respect." Mark shot back reminding Stan.

Stan looked down. "Oh, you're right." He settled back again.

I chuckled at them.

Getting in the water, I liked the warmth. The moisture just didn't go into me like before. Colin watched me.

I nodded at Colin. "I found the scroll that tells about the Old Ones," I said quietly. "The ones we called the Others."

Colin nodded. "They're here? These Others?"

"Amasis said he destroyed them as he found them, but they started here," I said. "Apparently, they are the creation of a man that used chemicals to create them with the help of some pregnant women; created as an army." I frowned. "The language it's written in I don't recognize." I chuckled. "Few are, but Amasis said he himself took several hundred years to understand. I'd like Stan to scan it to Buddy. Then with the resources, Buddy can use, maybe come up with a more understanding about what's there. Amasis will help."

Colin looked at Amasis. "How is he?"

I smiled looking at him. "It was easier than I hoped." I grinned at Colin. "We just confirmed what he had started to suspect before we got here." I nodded. "He'll be fine." I looked up. "George," I called lightly.

George looked over at me. "Yes."

"We've never done the serum with someone that's lived as long as Amasis. Do you think it will be different?"

George shook his head. "The thing about the venom is that it keeps the body sort of in stasis. All his organs have been maintained; it should be the same." He smiled at Amasis who was in enjoying the warm water. "We'll have to see."

The next sunset, I woke again with that raging hunger. I wanted it gone! They couldn't get the blood to me fast enough, but I got it. I finished the blood with Amasis in the room as well as Nabia.

"Okay," I said as the hunger went away after I consumed it. "What or whose blood was this?"

Amasis smiled. "Pretty much what we have the most of; sheep and occasionally camel."

Colin shook his head. "It sucks to be a camel here."

I looked at Colin amused. "Is it better to be a cow or chicken for us?"

He grinned. "I'm just not used to camels being on the menu."

I saw George come in with the serum and syringe. "Here we go." I sighed and got on a large pillow for the insertion of serum. I looked at Amasis and Nabia. "This will hurt me," I said. "It will hurt a lot, but the results is freedom. You'll be able to leave these spaces below."

Nabia was smiling at that idea, almost excited. Amasis was nodding and just waited.

Okay, it hurt. It was like having a heart attack that never stopped. Sarah and Mom said it was like having a baby that the labor just went on and on. I noticed that Nabia was not as excited as before, and Amasis was now looking concerned. Whether it was about me or realizing that he would have to suffer the same as I would...I didn't know. Both? It just seemed to never end! I knew what was happening. I knew it was starting my heart again. When it finally ebbed away, I just passed out.

I woke up with Colin looking at me concerned. He knew about this as well as I did; better having done it several times now, but the concern was on his face.

"There he is." Colin smiled leaning in kissing me. "There's my Devon."

"Were they upset?" I asked.

He gave the shrug and nod. "Nabia didn't wait for all of it, but Amasis stayed the whole time until you were asleep."

I sat up kissing him gently. "I'm not sorry I did what I did."

Colin nodded and kissed me to stop me. "I know why you did it." He pulled me in an embrace. "I love you, Devon. You love everyone."

I smiled. "I try." I ran a hand over his chest. "Some, more than others."

He grinned. "I hope so, you married me."

What can I say? The old me was coming back. "Who said I was talking about you? Every day I get with very handsome naked men for an hour or two. Who said it was you?"

Colin nodded, grinning. "Oh, so I was right. You are attracted to Amasis."

I shook my head. "No, I prefer Wayne."

"Wayne!?"

"There's also Alex and Willie!"

"They're all straight!" Colin pointed out.

"Are they really? You yourself said the gender issue wasn't the same after a while."

"One is now your father! I introduced you!"

I chuckled and I put my arms around him. "You know how I am with older men." I was being forced down on my back as he kissed more and deeper. "Tell me again how much you love me."

Colin grinned. "I love you."

I shook my head. "No, not in words."

Colin nodded. "Oh." He smiled. "You want me."

I nodded. "Very much."

The computer and equipment we had were checked for tracking devices or signals. The computer was brought from Amir's village. The problem now was power. Amir had a generator for his little setup, but we needed more power. The solar chargers were good for laptops, scanners, and translators, but this part of Buddy required a lot more. Our portable equipment had satellite capabilities and we used that for now. It was just slower. We had to bring more power here to get the connection we needed for Buddy. I again took the next dose of serum and again...PAIN!! Nabia again didn't stay to watch me suffer. Amasis did.

After that second dose and another sunset, Amasis smiled at what he saw in me. "I sense you are becoming more like you were before...when you first arrived."

I nodded and patted George on the arm. "Thanks to this great guy, it just hurts a few days. Soon, I'll be eating and going outside again."

Amasis frowned. "I can't even remember eating."

I smiled at Colin. "Some of us never forgot." I patted Colin's stomach.

"Yeah, well..." Colin smiled. "I use it." He shrugged. "It tastes good!"

Stan was beginning to scan the scrolls; the one Amasis pointed out was the scroll that told of the Old Ones was first. Age had made the scrolls brittle, but they were occasionally read, so not too bad. Amasis began translating what he thought was in the old scroll in the old language. Buddy was having a difficult time matching English word to this old language but also coming up with a database to form for making translations.

I waved Amasis over. "Okay, I'm going to show you another of our magic things with science." I opened the laptop and his eyes grew when he saw the screen and images move.

He reached out to touch, then was afraid to. "How...I don't..."

I nodded. "I'll show you." I smiled. "But I've got a ways to go to get you to understand. Be patient."

Amasis chuckled. "I learned patience, believe me." Then he looked at me. "When can I go on this serum?"

I smiled. "As soon as you asked for it."

Amasis nodded and smiled. "I'm asking for it." He chuckled. "And I want to learn English."

I laughed. "Slow down, man. One thing at a time."

Amasis smiled and waggled his eyebrows. "Now, I'm impatient."

"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."