Deadly Thirst

September 19-Trixon

Today is Jason's funeral, as he wanted. I'm just thinking good riddance. I read out the last bit of his will to the congregation, some of them silently sobbing, and pass out the belongings as he wanted them. Of course, the deed to the castle and the estates are in Sita and mine names, just as he had said. Sita hasn't dared to go to the foreyard out of fear that it may be a trap to kill us.

"Sita, you're going to have to go back there sooner rather than later. Whatever Jason left us, it is for both of us." I dismiss the congregation and lead Sita to where Mira is sitting. Sita has exchanged Mira's aprons and servants clothes for more extravagant clothing. Since Sita and I are technically the King and Queen of the castle and the area around it, that makes Mira the princess of London, so she has to dress like it.

"I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. What are we going to tell the Council about Jason and Michael?  'Oh, I'm so very sorry, but the previous leader of the castle passed away a week ago, along with your strongest ally, Michael.' No that won't do at all," Sita pulls Mira's hair into a tight ponytail and after wrangling it up to the top of her head, she places a crown on top.

"Mommy, isn't it funny how I went from being a low life peasant to a princess in one day?" Mira climbs on top of my shoulders, wrapping her arms around my neck as she does so.

"It could actually happen to anyone if they tried hard enough."

"Sita, don't worry about it. We still have eight days until they arrive. That's plenty of time for the cooks to bake up a feast. The Council won't be expecting us after what happened last time, but as the new head, I'm pretty sure I can work things out between us," I pull Mira down and hold her in my arms. I've never had a child, but already, Mira feels as if she is mine.

"She really likes you. It's a wonder what goes on in her mind," Sita trails off, muttering about family.

"How about we go see what's in the foreyard," I suggest. Sita looks up at me with wide eyes, but I don't let it fool me. "The sooner we get it over with better."

"All right. Bring Mira."

I realize that there is a certain pattern to the way we're walking, and I point that out to Sita.

"You're right. We're going left, right, right, left, straight," Sita looks around and sees that there is an opening straight ahead. "Come on, I think it's over there."

I follow behind Sita and wonder what she's thinking. Sita?

Yes?

What do you think it is?

I don't think it is an it at all. The only thing I had ever wanted was to get Trian back-Sita stops in the middle of her sentence and starts running. I look at Mira and we too begin running. He brought me back, so why couldn't he do the same to others? When I finally realize what she means, we are standing a mere two feet from my mother's body.

"What are we supposed to do?" I ask tentatively, speaking aloud for Mira's sake. Sita is about to break down. Mira can feel it and hugs Sita. I hug the both of them too and feel her trust in me as my closeness calms down her grieving body.

"We do what the 'instructions' say and then we wait for her to wake up. She's been dead for a few years, so I don't knowhow she will be when she wakes up. I was only gone for a scant few weeks before he brought me back," Sita picks up the folded piece of parchment and read what Jason had written aloud.

"My dearest Sita, Trixon, and Mira. As you can see, I give you the greatest gift I possibly can. To you, I know that no amount of gold can make up for what I did, so this is your present. I do warn you however, that if you choose to wake her, she will be out of control like a newborn vampire is. I expect you to take good care of her, Sita. Anyways, here are the instructions. 1. Wait until midnight to begin (preferably a full moon, but any will do). 2. Take your blood, Sita, and Trixon's blood combined and pump it into her heart. 3. Feed her some of your blood, Mira, just enough to interest her. 4. Trixon, Sita, repeat after me, but DO NOT say it out loud, or you will wreck the ritual. Sorry, Sita, say it at the ritual, but not as you are reading this note," Sita stops and links all of our minds together.