Chapter 9
Exile to Earth

The girl relaxes slowly, setting the pen down with unnecessary care. This chapter has been an emotional up and down for her, but at last she thinks she understands. “You really did love him, Mother,” she whispers to the silence.

She had read her own father’s words saying that he didn’t know of that little child was his or not, but she knew. There was magic in her blood and for many years she had wondered where it had come from. And then she had read her father’s account of the mirror world and she had known. The magic had come from her real father, a man she had never met. She had wondered if she should hate him, if she should hate her mother for betraying the man she couldn’t help but think of as her father. But now she understands at least a little what drove them both.

And she understands too the strength of the love that held them together through pain and betrayal. She is startled to find tears gathering in her eyes. It is a kind of epiphany.

And then she sighs and rests her head on the desk. The sun is well up in the sky. She has written through the night and on into the day. With another deep sigh she gets slowly to her feet and stumbles tiredly down to her room. There is one last story to tell and the account will be finished.

The next night she lifts pen to paper and begins the final story.

“What I’ve written here is by no means complete. Years passed in which many things happened that I haven’t even mentioned. There were times of peace in plenty, but there was one source of turmoil that never went away. For during all the long years from the moment my father learned of his survival to the moment he was at last defeated, the demon Asmodeus never left our family in peace for long.”

The shadows of evening merged and flowed together around the hunched forms of tombstones both ancient and new. A last reddish lance of sunlight provided just enough illumination for the slender half-elven woman who stood staring sadly at a single stone, one of the smaller ones in the cemetery. It bore no inscription save the name “Ariana Lunaris.” She let out a soft sigh and turned to the two shorter figures who stood behind her.

“Let’s go,” she said simply. The smaller of the two, an apparently human girl of twelve or thirteen years, nodded in agreement. The other, a fresh-faced aerian who looked about eighteen or so jumped, and then visibly collected himself before also nodding agreement.

“Sorry, my mind was wandering. Yes, let’s get out of here.”

The half-elven woman smiled. “I would think that you, of all people, would find yourself at home here.”

The aerian laughed softly. “I suppose you might, Corinne. But truth be told I’ve never been fond of ceme…”

A soft whirr sounded and the aerian let out a grunt of surprise and pain as an arrow sprouted suddenly from his upper arm. Before the other two had even registered the sound, he was in motion, leaping over tombstones toward a deep shadow beneath one of the many trees planted throughout the cemetery. A shape darted out of the concealing blackness into the darkening twilight, the pursuing aerian easily able to make out the form of a stocky human male as he raced hot on the archer’s heels. Ahead the wall of the cemetery loomed, a solid stone barrier well over nine feet in height. The archer made a running jump, trying to grab the top of the wall, but he fell short.

His pursuer soon caught up with him, and the archer turned at bay, The white flash of his teeth as he grinned madly was startling in the dimness. The smaller man showed his own teeth in an angry snarl as he advanced on the cornered archer.

“Who sent you?”

The archer laughed, and the sound made the hair on his pursuer’s neck stand on end. His voice was filled with a manic excitement as he shouted, “You know who sent me! A child of hell like yourself should easily recognize a servant of hell like me! I am the tool of your destruction! I’ve sold my soul to the darkness and now I’ll go to meet him in hell!” His grin stretched even further and he laughed again as he added, “I know I’ll see you there soon, for when the great lord Asmodeus wants someone dead, they die! Even you, vampire!”

The aerian rushed close, trying to prevent what he knew would happen, but he wasn’t fast enough. The other man made a quick motion, his hand going from his pocket to his mouth and he swallowed. Then he grinned again and laughed until suddenly his laughter was cut off by a choking cough and he collapsed to the ground.

Knowing that it was futile, but nevertheless going through the motions, the diminutive aerian bent over and felt for a pulse. He sighed and sank down next to the dead archer, slumping wearily on the chill ground. Only moments later his companions caught up with him. Corinne reached him first, her long legs letting her outrun her shorter companion.

“Aidan! Are you all right?”

Aidan Rhiannon, aerian vampire, ex-thief and occasional savior of the world sighed wearily. “Yes Corinne, I’m fine.”

“But your arm…”

Aidan looked down at where the arrow stood out of his upper arm. He pulled it out and tossed it to the ground. “It’s fine. You should know something like that can’t really hurt me.”

“What about him?” Corinne pointed to the sprawled human.

Aidan sighed. “He’s dead.”

“What of?”

“Poison, I guess. He took something. All these guys are crazy. I wish they’d leave me alone. They never really hurt me, but I’m getting tired of killing them.”

“You didn’t kill him, he killed himself.”

“I might as well have killed him. If not for me he’d be alive. But never mind that. We should go.” He sent a significant glance in the direction of the girl, who had slowed to a walk and was now only a few yards away. Corinne nodded as Aidan got to his feet. “Hey Spark,” he said.

“Dad, it’s Ariana now,” said the girl with a smile. Then she looked over toward the shadowed graveyard wall. “What about that guy? Is he dead?”

“Yeah, and you don’t need to go over there. We should be going.”

Ariana nodded and the three of them made their way out of the cemetery and down the streets of Snowcap Village toward Corinne’s house. When they arrived, there was an envelope pinned to the door with a dagger. Aidan cautiously took it down.

“What is it?” asked Corinne.

“I don’t know. But I doubt it’s anything good.”

The door swung open and Flame Song, Aidan’s wife, stuck her head out. “What’s going on?”

“Dad just got attacked by one of those demon servants earlier,” said Ariana. “And when we got here this note was pinned to the door.”

“What does it say?”

“I’m not sure I want to open it,” said Aidan with a grimace, “but I guess I have to. Here goes.” He opened the envelope and took out a single sheet of parchment.

Aidan,
Perhaps you grow weary of being bothered by my friends. If you would like to settle our dispute once and for all follow the directions below.

A sketched map and a few lines of written directions were below, and the signature at the bottom of the page read “Asmodeus.”

“That has ‘trap’ written all over it,” said Corinne.

“I know,” said Aidan quietly. He ran his fingers through his hair again tiredly. “But… if there’s a way to settle things once and for all, maybe I should go.”

“Aidan…” said Flame Song with worry in her eyes. “You can’t just walk into a trap. Asmodeus knows you too well this time. He won’t make the same mistake he did before. He’ll kill you for real.”

Aidan sighed. “Maybe so. I… I don’t know.” He went inside and sat down on the couch, feeling tired and confused. Flame Song sat down behind him and took his hand in hers.

“I don’t think you should go, but you’re the only one who can decide that. Oh, oh,” she added as a crash echoed through the house. “I had better go see what Dart is up to,” and she hurried off, Corinne close behind.

Ariana gave her father a hug. “It’s all right Dad, you’ll figure out the right thing to do.”

“I sure hope so, Spark.”

They returned home from their visit to Snowcap, and during the journey Aidan kept thinking about Asmodeus and the note. He could ignore it, of course. Corinne was probably right in thinking it was some kind of trap. And yet… if he didn’t go and face the demon he would spend the rest of his life being hunted by the demon’s mortal followers. He would have to keep killing, and not only that, eventually one of them might get lucky and actually manage to kill him. He didn’t value his own life that much, but he had his family to think of. By the time they reached their home he’d come to his decision. He would go.

Sitting by the fire after the children had gone to bed Aidan told Flame Song what he’d decided. She looked at him with an expression of worry and concern on her face. “Are you sure?”

“I have to take care of this, Flame. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life dodging Asmodeus’ henchmen.”

“I’ll come with you then. I don’t want you to do this alone.”

Aidan shook his head. “No. He’d just kill you, Flame. He’d kill anyone who came with me. I have to go alone.”

Flame Song sighed. “I suppose you’re right. But I don’t like it. I’m afraid I’ll lose you.” She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Aidan looked into Flame Song’s emerald eyes and saw a tear spill down her cheek. He reached out and gently wiped it away.

“Here now, don’t cry Flame. I’m not planning on dying, believe me. I intend to deal with this nuisance and come back and live a peaceful happily-ever-after with you.” He wrapped his own arms around her, and folded his wings around as well, encircling them both in soft white feathers. He stroked her hair gently as she blinked the tears out of her eyes. Then he kissed her, telling her without words that he loved her and he always would.

They were silent then as they spoke in a language of gentle kisses of soft caresses, reaffirming their love for each other. Aidan’s kisses moved down to her throat and his lips hovered over the spot at the base of her neck where her pulse pounded close to the surface. A shiver of pleasant anticipation went through Flame Song as Aidan drew his sharp eyeteeth gently, tantalizingly, across her skin. Then he broke through to taste the salty-sweetness of her blood.

Aidan was enveloped in a rush of sensation. The taste of his wife’s blood was heady, intoxicating. It sent him soaring to a high the likes of which he’d never known as an ordinary mortal. The blood-bond that formed between them allowed Flame to feel his pleasure, and she too was lifted with him to a dizzy peak of emotion. Their hearts were linked in a profound union, and each knew the true depth of the other’s love.

No matter what problems they might face, neither could doubt their love. They had shared this union many times. It had little to do with Aidan’s need for sustenance, he satisfied his purely nutritional needs with animal blood in greater quantity than Flame Song could provide. This sharing of blood was an act of love as profound, if not more so, as the more ordinary physical union they also shared.

Aidan didn’t want to take too much from Flame, so eventually he had to break things off. He kissed away the thin trickle of blood that ran from the two little marks he’d made. Flame Song sighed and lay back, resting her head on the cushions that lay scattered in front of the fire. Aidan lay next to her, his arm resting across her stomach, his head tucked under her chin. He closed his eyes and let a deep, dreamless sleep steal over him.

When he awoke the next evening he started preparing for his journey. He examined the crude map again. It showed the way to a hidden cavern with a starting point marked “Aerievale.” The high peaks that surrounded the aerian city were honeycombed with caves. Aidan had explored a few of them when he’d lived in the city. At least I’ll be on somewhat familiar ground, he told himself.

He didn’t have much to pack. He needed no food, he could find what sustenance he required along the way. He put on his sun medallion that allowed him to go out in daylight unharmed, put one set of lock picks in his pocket, hid several more in various places, belted on his two long daggers, added boot daggers, three different hidden daggers, and was done.

Saying goodbye was the hardest part. He hugged Ariana, saying, “You’re the oldest, you’ll have to take care of everyone else while I’m gone.” Then he gave each of the twins a hug. “Dart, be good for your mother. Flare, looks like you and Dart are the men of the house now. Think you can handle it?” The solemn little phoenix child nodded and his impish brother’s customary mischief was missing as he hugged his father tight. They all sensed their parents’ fear: that their father might never return. Lastly Aidan hugged Shadowfire. He held the little aerian girl for a long time. She was only two, but already she and Aidan had a special closeness. Finally he gave Flame Song one last kiss and stepped out the door. He didn’t look back, knowing that if he did he might not be able to go after all.

The long flight was at once far too long and all too short. Aidan wanted to get this over with and yet he knew that he might be going to his death. He did not, however, go straight to Aerievale. He took a small side trip to Queen Tara’s tower. He hadn’t been there in a long time, but he knew that his friends would still be willing to help him, no matter how many years had passed.

“Something to deal with a demon hmm?” said Jordanis as the two of them sat in the great library. The young were-jackal cocked his ears forward inquisitively. He had taken over the post of Royal Mage Counselor after the death of Yurik the sage. Aidan had known him only vaguely when they’d both been active in the Clan, but as Brianna had long ago told him, the Clan of the Lost Dragon was indeed a family, whose members were always willing to help one another. And if anyone could help Aidan with his problem it was Jordanis. He’d been the youngest member of the Clan when he first joined, hardly more than a child, but even then he’d been unusually gifted. “Demons,” said the mage, “are notoriously difficult to truly kill. You can kill the body they inhabit, and it delays them a few years while they make a new one. But I think in your case there might be a way to kill one permanently. Tell me, how much do you know about that torc of yours?”

“That it has a lot to do with demons, especially protecting somebody from one.”

“Yes, yes indeed. I never brought the subject up but I’ve been curious bout that thing ever since I first saw you, and I did a bit of research into it. I actually managed to find out who made it. He’s been dead now for quite a few years, and it seems that he wasn’t the best sort. Those who deal with demons seldom are. But it turns out he made the torc with certain powers so that he could safely master demons. It has three main powers. The first you know, it protects one from direct physical injury from demons. The second power you probably aren’t aware of. It forces any being who swears an oath on the stone to abide by it.”

“Actually, I did know about that one. But what’s the third power?”

“When the correct spell is performed the stone can charge a weapon, enabling that weapon to kill a demon, fully and finally.”

“And do you know the correct spell?” Aidan tried not to be too hopeful. If Jordanis didn’t know it, likely the only person who did was the original mage, and he was long dead.

The mage smiled a sharp-toothed canine smile. “I do.”

Two days later Aidan was again in the air. He flew swiftly, wanting to get the confrontation over with and the demon out of his life. He stopped when he reached the foothills of the surrounding peaks and hunted. He would need all his strength for the coming confrontation. One deer and a pint or so of blood later he was again in the air. It was early morning and he debated with himself for a while. He could go straight to the cave, but he wanted to have every possible advantage when he faced Asmodeus.

At sundown, he decided. I’ll go at sundown. But for now, somewhere to rest is in order. I can go stay with Thomas. I haven’t seen him for a while and, well… I can still lose this fight. I might as well see my friend once more if that’s the case. So he circled over the city, hunting up the landmarks the led to the poorer section of the town and the familiar roof of his friend’s house.

He landed in front of the door, taking a moment to inhale the scent of the many flowers that Thomas kept blooming in his tiny front garden. Somehow knowing that he could die so soon was making him appreciate little things like that all the more.

Thomas smiled when he opened the door and saw Aidan standing there. “Aidan! It’s been a while since I’ve laid eyes on you. What brings you to my door?”

“I’d like to say I’ve come just to see you, but I’m afraid I have selfish motives. I need somewhere to stay for the day. Do you mind if I stay here?”

“Of course not! Come in, make yourself at home.”

“Thanks.” Aidan stepped inside the little cottage. It was cozy as ever. In contrast to the neatness of the flowerbeds outside, the inside was an untidy jumble, but it wasn’t dirty, just comfortably cluttered.

“Go ahead and just go back to the spare room,” said Thomas. “You know where it is, and we can chat more once you’ve slept.”

Aidan smiled and made his way through the scattered mess to the back room. He had to clear off the cot there, but that only took a moment and soon he was sound asleep.

He woke precisely at sunset. He got up, got dressed, and made sure that all his daggers were in place before stepping out into the main room. Thomas was sitting in a comfortable chair staring into the fire that burned on the hearth. “Hello, my friend,” he said as Aidan entered the room. “Do you have a moment to let me know what’s going on now?”

Aidan sighed. Part of him just wanted to go, get this over with, but part of him still wanted to delay. “I guess I have a moment. I have to tell you though that it’s not exactly good news that brings me here.”

He told Thomas the whole story, about the torc, the demon, the way he’d been hounded over the years, the note, and the enchanted dagger he now carried. When he was done the old aerian said, “That’s quite a tale, my lad. I have to say I don’t like the thought of you facing a demon on your own like this. But I can see how it’s something you just have to do. I’d offer to go with you, but these old bones aren’t up to it these days.”

Aidan smiled. “I appreciate it. But I have to do this alone. Flame wanted to come, and so did several of my friends from the Clan, but I have to do this. The demon wants the torc from me. He can’t kill me directly, but he could kill anybody else I brought along. I just have to go alone.”

“Well, good luck then. If anybody can do it, you can. You’re tougher than most, that’s for sure. But I shouldn’t be keeping you back.” Thomas got to his feet. “You just promise that when you win you’ll stop back by so that I can congratulate you.”

“I’ll do that,” said Aidan.

And then it was time, no more putting it off. He took to the sky one last time, the note with its directions in hand. And all too soon he was landing in front of a dark cavern mouth. He checked all his daggers one last time, took a deep breath even though he didn’t need to, and stepped inside.

As he did he was suddenly surrounded by a swirling blur of colors. For a moment he was totally disoriented and then he recognized it. A portal spell! I’m being transported somewhere else! But the swirling nothingness went on and on and Aidan began to fear he wasn’t going anywhere, that he had instead been trapped between worlds. And then he heard the voice.

“Hello Aidan. Wondering where you are? Well, you’re on your way elsewhere, but I’ve paused the journey so I can let you know what’s going on. That’s right, this is your old friend Asmodeus. And you may see some other old friends soon because I’m sending you back to Earth. Now here’s the deal. I want that torc. You, no doubt, want to go back to Mysteria. But you can’t get what you want until I get what I want. Now I know there are always portals from Earth to Mysteria, if you know where to look. And I don’t doubt you’ll find them. In fact they’ll be drawn to you. But I’ve put a little spell on that lovely collar of yours. It can’t go through portals. Try it if you like. You’ll just walk through it like it wasn’t even there. But take the collar off and then, ah! Then you can pass through and go home. Simple. All you have to do is remove the collar and all your worries will be over.

“Knowing you it will probably be a while before you come to your senses, but I have all the time in the world. So have fun, my little friend, and farewell for now.”

As the demon’s voice fell silent the swirling stilled and the world gradually coalesced around the stunned vampire. He was given no time to wonder if he really was on Earth or not, for immediately he was almost hit by a speeding car. He’d materialized in the middle of a road. Fortunately it was also the middle of the night and few cars were about. He quickly got off the street and looked around.

He was in a city. Buildings towered above him, though none of them were really skyscrapers. I wonder where exactly I’m at? Deciding to look for landmarks he took to the air. It only took him minutes to spot one. Just a few blocks from where he’d arrived was a huge granite building. Six spires, the highest crowned with a golden figure blowing a trumpet, topped it. The temple, he thought. I’m in Salt Lake City. Well, at least I’m somewhere familiar. If I’d landed in New York I’d be totally lost.

So, now what? I need some time to think, that’s what. He surveyed the city below. He needed a place where he wouldn’t be bothered. For a moment he thought about landing on top of the temple. Nobody would see him up there. But even though he wasn’t one of the Mormons, it felt vaguely sacrilegious to just sit on top of their holy place. So he perched on top of the neighboring office building instead. Sitting on the rooftop and surveying the city below he sighed heavily.

What a mess. Last time I was stuck here it took more than a year to find a portal, and that was without having to worry about demon spells. I can hope Asmodeus was lying, but I doubt it. I can’t let him win though. That creep at the head of an army of demons isn’t something I ever want to see. He’d wreck Mysteria and probably move on to other worlds, like Earth. No way. So I guess if taking off the torc is out, the only other option is hoping that Flame will come looking for me. I wonder if I could send a message home? Hmmm… that’s a thought. Even if I can’t go through a portal myself, I could throw something through. Yes. It’s not much of a plan, but it’s all I can think of for the moment.

In the meantime… guess I’ll just stay here. I know my way around the city, it doesn’t seem to have changed. Now there’s a thought. How long has it been? Time flows differently here, that’s for sure. I first left here in… what, 1999? And for me that was, hmm… wow, just shy of twenty years ago. I’m getting old. But there’s no way this is 2020. The city would be more changed than it is. So, first order of business, find a newspaper and get the date.

Feeling somehow better now that he’d reached some sort of decision and had something that felt useful to do he set off in search of a newspaper. It didn’t take him long to find one. A coin-operated box just a block away dispensed them. He didn’t have any money, but he didn’t really want the paper, just the date, which was easily visible. The date was March 15, 2003. Wow, he thought, two decades for me and less than four years here. Guess that’s good. If it had been twenty years here I’d feel like Rip Van Winkle. Looks like I missed the millennial bash and the Olympics. What a shame.

The next order of business was obviously finding somewhere to stay. There was no way Aidan could get some kind of apartment. No money, and no ID so no way to get a job. Not to mention the fact that he looked like a freak. Not many job openings around here for flying vampires, he thought with a grin. But for someone with wings who wasn’t bothered by the cold there were plenty of other options. All kinds of rooftop locations had snug little corners where nobody ever visited. Aidan scouted out half a dozen likely spots on the first night. He picked the best of these and soon was settled in comfortably in a little nook that was half covered and half open to the sky.

He lay there, looking up at the stars. After all these years he’d grown accustomed to the stars of Mysteria. Seeing again the old familiar stars of Earth was odd. He identified the few ordinary constellations he knew and then renewed his acquaintance with his personal constellations. There was the Unicorn, and the Greater and Lesser Dragons. There the Archer and his arrow, there the Running Man, eternally trying to stop the Archer’s shot. There was the Crown of Light, and the opposing Crown of Darkness, the Great Fountain, and the Hero’s Sword. He recalled spending hours making up the mythology to go with the pictures he found. His sky had its own tale, a great epic of battle between good and evil.

He remembered how hard he’d wished that the sky stories could be true and that he could go there, to that land, and become a hero. He’d wanted to escape his ordinary lonely life. And I got my wish, he thought. Even if I never go back at least I had that much. I had so much more than most people. All my greatest dreams and wishes came true.

He was sitting in another one of his little aeries when he heard a commotion directly below. He seldom ventured out before around two in the morning. Salt Lake wasn’t the liveliest of cities, but there was some nightlife, and he preferred to avoid being seen when he could. The last thing he wanted was to become a public curiosity. But his own curiosity was still there, and so he went to the edge of the roof and peered over. In the alley below two men had a third backed against the wall. Muggers, thought Aidan with disgust. Well, since I’m rather equipped to play Batman, why not? I always wanted to be a superhero. And with that he vaulted over the edge of the roof and into a controlled fall to the street below. He hit the larger of the two thugs just before he hit the ground, slugging him on the back of the skull with somewhat less than his full strength. The man went down and stayed down. The second thug turned and just gaped at the odd apparition that stood before him. Aidan gave him a big, toothy grin and the man went wide-eyed and ran. Aidan was content to let him go. He didn’t worry much. Few people would believe whatever story the thug told.

He turned his attention to the would-be-muggers’ victim. The man, or at least Aidan presumed it was a man, stood there gaping at him. Aidan gaped right back, somewhat surprised. The fellow was dressed all in black, from a black mesh long-sleeved shirt with a ragged black t-shirt pulled over it to a black velvet skirt and black boots. He also wore several spiked leather bracelets, a matching spiked collar, and a belt with dangling silver bondage rings all along it. To top off the outfit the guy was wearing exaggerated black eyeliner and had one eyebrow and both ears pierced.

“Er,” said Aidan gracefully, trying to recover his poise, “are you all right?”

“Uh,” said the man brightly in reply, “Yeah, I think so. Um, thanks.”

“No problem.” He’s just a goth, Aidan told himself, trying not to stare. He’s not any more of a freak than you are, so don’t be rude.

The man stared at Aidan a moment longer and then said, “Look, I have to ask. Those are real, aren’t they? I mean the wings. I saw you flying! How is that possible?”

Aidan hesitated a moment, then decided he might as well. “Yeah, they’re real. As for how, well, I’m not exactly human, and I’m not exactly from around here. But the whole story is kind of complicated. And… I have to ask too. Where on earth are you going in that getup?”

“Huh? Oh. To a club, actually.”

“Must be some club!”

“The local goth hang-out,” the man replied.

“In Salt Lake? I didn’t know there was anything like that around here!”

“You’d be surprised, actually. And in a place like this we freaks need somewhere to go where we can relax and be ourselves. Being a freak isn’t easy.”

“I know,” said Aidan softly. He’d been here more than two months now and he was getting very lonely. He missed his family every day, but he also missed just being around other people.

It was silent for several moments and then the man spoke up. “Hey, we haven’t exactly been introduced. I’m Owen. And thanks again for the help. I don’t usually walk to the club, but tonight the weather was so good and the stars so bright, I just had to. Guess I’ll know better from now on.”

“Guess so,” said Aidan with a smile. “I’m Aidan, by the way.”

“Look, Aidan” said Owen, “You want to come with me? If there’s anywhere in this town where you’d fit in, The Sanctuary is it.”

“I…” Aidan hesitated. To go out in public, looking like he did? But maybe if he kept his wings folded people would think it was some kind of outfit, like Owen’s outlandish getup. And he missed human company. Perhaps he could try it just once. “All right, I’ll go.”

“Great! It’s just a couple more blocks. We can talk along the way.”

They strolled out of the alley. The streets were fairly empty at this time of night, but there were still a few people out. Aidan got some funny looks, but so did Owen. “Don’t mind them,” he said. “They’re just norms. They don’t know how to handle anybody who isn’t just like them.”

Aidan nodded. “I guess I’d just gotten used to fitting in. Back home…” he broke off, hit all over again by homesickness.

“Okay, you have got to tell me where you’re from, my friend, and how you got the wings. Not to mention the teeth, which I gather are also real?”

“Yeah, they’re real too. Actually I was born not far from here. But I got a chance to go… somewhere else. Another world. I’m not sure how to describe it. When you go there, it changes you, makes it so you belong. If you don’t like it there, you don’t stay. But if you’re the sort of person who belongs, the world itself takes you in, makes you one of its own.” He shrugged. “Bad luck follows me though, and I got stuck back here. I hope I can go home someday, but I’m trying not to hope too hard.”

“That’s beyond belief,” said Owen, “but I suppose I believe it. I can’t think of any explanation that I’d believe better. How long have you been here?”

“Couple months is all.”

“Where you living?”

Aidan shrugged. “Wherever. I can’t exactly pay rent, and I don’t know if anybody would want me as a tenant anyhow.”

“You’re just camping on the street?”

Aidan grinned. “Not on the street, on the rooftops. You’d be surprised how many places there are where nobody ever goes up on the roof.”

“Neat. If you ever want somewhere better to crash though, look me up. I’ve got a little place and there’s room for two. And…” he gave Aidan a look which the aerian couldn’t read, “I have to ask one more question. You’re too gorgeous to be true, so the answer’s probably not what I want to hear. Are you straight and are you single?”

Aidan actually blushed. “Er… yeah, I’m straight and I’m married too. Um… sorry.”

Owen shrugged. “I’ll leave you alone then. I just had to ask.” He paused a bit and then said, “Married eh? You look a bit young to be all tied up like that.”

Aidan laughed. “I’m older than I look.”

“How old, if that’s not prying?”

“Not centuries or anything like that. I’m thirty-four.”

“Yeah, you are older than you look. That reminds me of a problem, actually. You probably don’t have ID on you.”

“No.”

“Hmmm… ‘fraid I can’t get you into the upstairs then. You’ll have to go down and hang out with the under twenty-ones. And I can’t buy you a drink either. I was going to, you know, to thank you for saving my wallet and possibly my life back there.”

“Thanks for the thought, but I don’t drink anyhow.”

“You’re one of the wise few then, my friend. Ah, and here we are. Sanctuary sweet Sanctuary. Come on.”

It was immediately obvious that the building had once been a church. But now it had a red neon sign in gothic letters and Aidan could feel the bass beat emanating from the place. Owen led the way inside. A doorman was taking money from a short line of people. To the right stairs went up, to the left they descended. “I’m paying for two,” said Owen and presented ID and money to the man. He got his hand stamped, and Aidan, admitting that he didn’t have ID, got a different stamp and a searching glance. “You can’t take the knives inside,” said the man. Aidan blinked. This hadn’t occurred to him, but it should have.

“Can I leave them with you?” he asked.

“Sure.”

“All’s well then,” said Aidan, feeling oddly cheerful, and divested himself of the two obvious daggers at his waist. He felt no need to mention the five other daggers hidden about his person.

Everything was black with mostly dim or reddish lighting. Very gothic indeed, thought Aidan. Heavy industrial music was vibrating the walls in the dance area where the stairs let out, but to the left a doorway offered escape from the deafening beat. Aidan’s sensitive ears felt abused already, so he quickly took the offered relief, going through the door and into a kind of lounge with a pool table, a couch, and an assortment of tables and chairs. A bar, presumable serving only the non-alcoholic, was against the far wall. The place wasn’t crowded, though it was fairly full. The predominant color among the patrons, as with the décor, was black. Aidan gave his own blue and black outfit an amused glance. Looks like I’ll fit in fine. And in fact he wasn’t the only one in medieval style clothing either. Nor was he the only one with fangs. One girl sitting on the couch had a pair. I am the only one with wings, but I guess I do blend in here, at least a little.

Owen made a beeline for the couch, grabbing Aidan’s hand and towing the aerian behind him. “Hey Angela,” he said, addressing the fanged girl, “meet Aidan. He just saved my life.”

The girl grinned toothily and got up. She gave Aidan a hug, which he hadn’t expected. Goths were supposed to be individualists, depressed and not into thing like hugging, weren’t they? “Nice fangs,” she said.

“Er, thanks.”

“Where’d you get them? They’re a lot better than the ones I have.”

Aidan blinked. Should he tell her they were real?

“Hey now,” said Owen with a grin, “are you telling me, Angela dear, that yours aren’t the real thing? And here I thought I knew an exotic vampire!”

“Owen,” scolded the girl.

“Yes?” he said with an expression of exaggerated innocence.

“You’re terrible.”

“Why thank you,” he replied, and curtsied.

“Here, have a seat,” offered Angela, sitting back down on the couch. Aidan gave the couch a look, considered his wings, and perched himself on the arm. Trying to sit down would just have ended up breaking feathers. “Wow,” said Angela, brushing her fingers across his wings, “the feathers are so soft. And they look so real.”

Aidan just shrugged. He didn’t know what to say. This wasn’t quite what he’d expected, but though a bit nervous, he realized he was actually enjoying himself. Pretty soon there was a little group gathered around the couch, making introductions, chattering, and just all having a good time.

“Hey,” said Angela suddenly, “my song is on. Do you dance?” she looked at Aidan.

“Sort of,” he replied.

“Then come on.” She got up and headed for the dance floor. Aidan decided to go with the flow and followed. Apparently this song was popular for the floor was full. Aidan took a moment to watch the dancing. It wasn’t like anything he’d seen before. People didn’t dance together, each danced alone. And there didn’t seem to be any set moves, just a sort of way of moving. It was flowing and despite the fast beat, it was actually slow and graceful. “What kind of dancing is that?” asked Aidan, curious.

“We call it shadow dancing,” responded Owen, having to speak right next to Aidan’s ear to be heard over the beat. “It’s easy. You want to try?”

“Sure.” Aidan stepped out onto the floor. It was odd watching the patterns that formed. Everyone moved randomly around and yet they almost never touched. Hands moved in graceful gestures, feet marked a half-time beat, and everyone seemed to flow. Hesitantly Aidan tried to follow the random pattern. Soon he was in the middle of the floor, moving independently and yet as one among the others. The music too was oddly beautiful. This song had a deep hard beat like the industrial music he’d heard earlier, but this song could only be called gothic, for there was a choir singing in a minor key, something almost joyous and yet sad in Latin. He lost himself in the music and was disappointed when at last the song came to an end. Something loud and harsh followed it and he moved off of the dance floor. He returned to the almost deserted couch, perching again on the arm.

Owen turned up again and plopped down on the couch. “You enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, actually. I was a bit nervous at first, but I think you were right. I fit in here as well as I’m going to anywhere on this world.”

“Hey, I owe you big time. Anytime you want to come, I’ll get you in. I’m here every night this place is open.”

“Thanks Owen.”

They left just before the club closed. “I’ll walk you home,” offered Aidan. “It would be a shame if I saved you on the way there only to let you get mugged again on the way back.”

“Come home with me. I’m by myself since my last boyfriend moved out, and I promise I won’t molest you in the night. I never hit on straight guys once I know they’re straight.”

“I don’t know…”

“Is it the gay thing, or the goth thing, or do you just prefer your rooftops?”

“Well…” Aidan considered. “I guess it’s partly that I worry about being exposed to the public eye. What if your landlord sees me and calls the paper or something? And… if I’m being honest the gay thing is a bit weird. I’m not all fanatical about it or anything, but I don’t really think it’s right. We were meant to love each other male and female, you know? Not that I’m putting you down,” he added quickly. “You’re the one living your life, I’m not going to tell you how to. Heck, most everybody, me included, thinks stealing isn’t right, but that doesn’t keep me from being a bit of a klepto. I just can’t help myself sometimes. And boy has that gotten me into trouble.”

Owen laughed. “So is that a yes or a no then?”

“Ah heck, sure, I’ll stay at your place.”

Owen lived in a five-story apartment block, and to Aidan’s delight (and Owen’s annoyance as the elevator was out) he lived on the top floor. “Here we are,” he said as he opened the door. “It’s not much but it’s home.”

He ushered Aidan inside and locked and bolted the door behind him. “The couch folds out into a bed,” said Owen. “Is that all right for you?”

“Sure. I’m not anywhere near ready to sleep yet though,” he added. “I keep very nocturnal hours.”

“Me too. Up for a game of something then? I play a mean game of Scrabble and there’s an old Playstation around here somewhere.”

“Scrabble… I ought to import that to Mysteria.”

“You like Scrabble then? I love it, but these days I’m hard-pressed to find a challenge. None of my friends will play against me because I always win. I’m very good.”

“I’m very rusted. I haven’t played in about twenty years, but back in the day I was a pretty mean player. Sure. I’ll play you a game.”

Owen won, but Aidan put up a good fight. They played three games and by that time the sky was beginning to lighten. Aidan yawned. “I think it’s time for bed,” he said.

“I’ll second that. Need anything?”

“Nah. Thanks though.”

“You’re welcome. I’d say see you in the morning, only its morning now. See you later.”

Aidan yawned again. Then he divested himself of weaponry and clothes and practically fell into the bed.

He woke up with Owen shaking his shoulder and calling urgently, “Aidan, Aidan!”

“Huh?” he said groggily, trying to focus. It was late afternoon and the sun was shining in through the windows. It was far too bright for his sensitive eyes and he squinted up at Owen’s worried face. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re alive!”

“Course I’m alive.” He blinked, trying to wake up all the way. His eyes were starting to adjust a bit.

“I got up and I thought I’d leave you alone if you needed more sleep, but after a bit I thought I’d at least check on you and you weren’t breathing!”

“Sorry… I didn’t know you hadn’t figured it out. I’m a vampire. You know, undead? I’m not supposed to be breathing.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” He yawned and blinked sleepily. “Sorry I scared you. I’ll be up in an hour or two, once the sun is down.” And with that he closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.

When he woke up at sundown Owen was sitting in a chair in the corner and staring at him. Aidan sat up and stretched, spreading his wings as well as his arms. “You know,” said Owen, “it’s just downright eerie watching you sleep. You look dead.”

“Well, technically I am dead,” said Aidan.

Owen shrugged, then grinned. “You also, if you’ll forgive me for saying it, look hot. It really is too bad you’re straight and taken.”

“Heh. Well, I guess I can forgive you for admiring the view. Just don’t try and seduce me or anything like that.”

“How about I promise not to seduce you if you promise not to have me for dinner? I think I can deal with you being a vampire if you can deal with me being gay.”

“Fair enough. And speaking of food, I need to go get some. Though not just now. I’m afraid what I need isn’t available at the moment.”

“What do you mean? You do drink blood, don’t you?”

“Yes. But I avoid taking human blood when at all possible. And even here in the city there are other sources. You know the horses that draw those old-fashioned carriages the tourists ride? They’re stabled not too far from here. A person can’t lose very much blood, but a horse can afford to lose quite a bit with no harm done. So I go feed off of them. But they’re still out working at this hour.”

“I see. You know if I told anybody about my new roommate, they wouldn’t believe me. A flying extraterrestrial vampire. Entirely too weird.”

“You going back to the club tonight?”

“Today’s Sunday. It’s not open. They only open three days a week, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It’s a shame, but considering that it’s totally dead there even on Thursday I don’t blame them.” He shrugged and leaned back in the chair. “Disappointed?”

“The nights get long and lonely. I’d hoped to go back sooner. But I’ll survive.”

“Only four more days my friend. I’m sure you will.”

Four more days saw Aidan back at The Sanctuary. He found he craved human company more than he’d thought. Even though most of the time he only sat back and watched what the other people were doing, somehow simply being there satisfied his need for companionship.

He found he enjoyed watching people. Just observing the continual drama of who was around who, watching who wore what outlandish outfit, seeing who danced, who sat in the corners, just observing it all was endlessly fascinating.

So it was that he noticed the new woman right away. By this time he’d been coming to The Sanctuary for more than a month and knew all the regulars, so he knew she was either new or came very seldom. She was dressed in the customary black, and wearing a leather choker with a spiked heart pendant, so she should have blended in, but somehow she stood out. She didn’t quite belong. He tried to analyze what it was, but it didn’t come to him.

She noticed his gaze and moved in his direction. “Hi,” she said, parking herself on the couch next to where he sat in his usual spot on the arm. “I’m Lucy.”

“Aidan. This your first time here?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you think of it?”

“Pretty wild.”

“I like it here. It’s one of the few places a guy like me can go and not get stared at like some kind of circus show.”

“What do you mean? I mean other than those wings and your teeth you look totally normal. I’d think once you took them off you’d blend right in.”

“Ah but that’s the rub you see. They don’t come off. Wings and teeth both, a permanent deal.”

“Why? If you don’t want to be stared at then why do something like that?”

Aidan just shrugged. He wasn’t about to go telling this stranger all about Mysteria and being a real vampire and all that. “They’re part of who I am,” he finally said.

“What do you mean by that?”

He shrugged again. Why was she so curious?

“I really want to know, if you don’t mind telling me,” said Lucy.

“Why are you asking? If you don’t mind telling me.” Aidan grinned.

Lucy looked a bit taken aback. “Curiosity?”

“You say that like a question, not like an answer,” said Aidan. He didn’t really mind the questions, but he had no intention of answering them either. There was something about this Lucy…

“Okay,” she said, her manner suddenly changing, “You want the truth? I’m writing a book. All about the goth and vampire scene. I want to know what’s really behind the vampire myth. I think there’s something. So I’m visiting places like this to interview people like you. The real vampires. I don’t think real vampires are undead, I think they’re just people, ordinary people.”

“Real vampires eh?” Aidan just about laughed. I’m more real than you could ever guess, he thought. “Well, I’d love to oblige, but I’m afraid I value my privacy. I know there’s plenty of other people around here who’d be happy to tell you what you need to know.”

Lucy took the brush-off gracefully enough. “Well thanks anyhow. Sorry to bother you.”

“Hey, no problem. If you ever want to talk without asking my life story, I’m always around here somewhere.”

As he was leaving that night he spotted Lucy walking away from the club. She was walking away from the parking lot too. “Hey! Lucy! Don’t tell me you’re walking home at this hour of the night.”

“Oh hi!” she said. “No, I was just walking to the Trax station. I’ll catch a train from there. They don’t run often at this hour, but there’s still a few.”

“Oh no you’re not. Not alone anyhow. Owen,” he called to his friend, “You going with Mouse?”

“Yeah, I’m headed for the after-party. You going to walk the lady there home?”

“You got it. See you later.”

“Hey,” said Lucy, “I’ve got mace and martial arts training. I can take care of myself. Heck, I’m taller than you are!”

“I’m still not letting you walk there alone. Safety in numbers and all that.”

She held out her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I guess I’m stuck with you. I should make you answer all my questions in return for letting you come.”

“I doubt the answers would help you any. I’m not the sort of vampire you’re putting in your book,” said Aidan as they strolled down the empty streets.

“What sort of vampire are you then?”

“The questions never stop, do they? All right. I’ll answer that one. I’m a real vampire.” He grinned at her.

“Which is exactly what I’m after,” said Lucy.

“Sure you are,” said Aidan.

“You’re being deliberately confusing,” she accused.

“You bet.”

She shook her head, exasperated. “Will you give me a straight answer just once?”

“I’ve already given you straight answers, you just don’t have the context to understand them. And no, I’m not going to give you the context. You don’t need to know my life story.”

“All right, I’ll leave you alone. We’re almost there, anyhow. See, there’s the station.” Then she frowned as she looked down the street. “What is that?”

Aidan followed her gaze. Up ahead a lighted and covered stop for the city’s rail system stood in the center of the street. At first he didn’t see anything unusual, but then he made out a hair-fine vertical line of glowing orange light that hung in the air. As they moved closer he got a better look at it… and suddenly recognized it. He hurried forward, circling around the shining thread.

Viewed from the side it was a thin line, but from in front it was a swirling oval, apparently made of flame. “A portal,” he whispered. He could almost hope… maybe the demon had lied. Maybe he could go home. He knew there was little chance, but he had to try. He stepped forward, passing through the hanging flames, but there was no sense of motion, no swirling disorientation. His foot came down on the pavement on the other side. The portal faded away behind him and he sank to his knees, collapsing in defeat.

Lucy came up beside him and knelt next to him. “What’s wrong? What was that?”

“It was a portal,” he said softly, tears flowing down his cheeks. “A portal home. But I couldn’t go through. I’m trapped here. I’ll never be able to go home again, never see my family…” he broke off, his voice too thick with emotion to continue.

Lucy rested one hand on Aidan’s shoulder comfortingly. She didn’t know what else to say, what else to do. Eventually Aidan’s tears stopped. He sniffed a bit, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping his eyes.

“You all right?” asked Lucy.

“Yeah. Sorry about that. I just… I miss my family so much.”

“You want to talk about it? The train won’t be here for more than half an hour you know.”

Aidan sighed. “Not really. I’ll be fine.”

“Look, I won’t put any of this in my book, I promise. Nobody would believe it anyhow. Are you really from some other world?”

“The honest truth is I was born and raised here, in Utah.”

“You’re being evasive again, aren’t you?”

“Look, I don’t want to talk, all right? Just leave me alone.”

“Hey, I’m sorry.”

Aidan didn’t answer. He just got up and sat down on a nearby bench. He rearranged his wings, refolding them into a more comfortable position.

“Your wings are for real aren’t they? Can you fly?”

“Do you ever stop asking questions?”

“Sorry… I have more curiosity than is good for me.”

“Yeah, well, you know where curiosity got the cat, right?” Aidan knew he shouldn’t be so short with Lucy. But he wasn’t exactly in a good mood. He wanted nothing more than to be alone with his renewed heartache. He was having to face the possibility of being stuck here on Earth for a very long time, maybe forever.

When at last the train arrived Aidan said, “Look, Lucy, I’m sorry I haven’t been very polite to you. Tonight hasn’t exactly been a good night. But some other time look me up. I’m almost always at The Sanctuary.”

“I might just do that,” she said with a smile.

“Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

The red-haired woman and the humanoid jackal both stare into the scrying glass. “Do you see any sign of him?” asks the woman.

“There’s nothing. I’m certain this is the place. I can see him going there and then nothing. I need to go there myself and see what happened. In the glass he’s just there one minute and gone the next.”

“But he’s not dead.”

“No. I’d see the body if he’d been killed. He’s just… gone elsewhere.”

“I hope so.”

“Have faith. He’s a survivor. I’m certain he’s still alive. It’s just a matter of finding him.”

The woman stares at the glass and sighs. “I hope you’re right. I truly hope you’re right.”

It was a week later before Aidan saw Lucy again, and as always she was full of questions. “Hi Aidan! Feeling better?”

“Actually yes,” he said as she plopped down on the couch. It was a Thursday night and the club as half empty, so the couch was otherwise unoccupied. “Hope springs eternal and all that.”

“Well, I hope I don’t bother you too much, but I’m still curious. Can I ask at least one or two questions?”

“Ask all you want. I still reserve the right to be evasive and confusing, but I won’t lie to you. I haven’t so far.”

“So when you said you were a real vampire…”

“I’m a real vampire. The fangs weren’t done by my dentist.”

“Wow. What’s it like?”

“What’s being human like? It’s not really that different.”

“But you drink blood.”

“Sure.”

“That has to be different. I mean… well, how do you… uh…”

“How do I get it? If you’re asking do I creep in through bedroom windows to drain young girls dry, no. Even if I were so inclined my wife would never let me hear the end of it. I sneak in through stable doors and take a small donation from horses, generally. It doesn’t have to be human blood.”

“Oh. You’re married? Aren’t you a little young for that? Or no, you’re probably centuries old or something.”

Aidan laughed. “I am a bit older than I look, but not centuries. I’m thirty-four. And yes, I’m married. I got married young. I was barely nineteen at the time. But what about you? What brings you out looking for vampires?”

“I’ve just always been fascinated by them. Ever since I read my first vampire story when I was just a kid. And then I read this book about real vampires, about people who aren’t undead but who do sometimes drink blood, and they get permanent fangs, and run around at night and all this bizarre stuff. I wanted to learn more, so I decided to start locally, find out what I could here in Salt Lake. Once I’ve finished my research here I may go somewhere where I can find a larger vampire community. But you’d be surprised how many of them there are around here. Some of them come to places like this, but most of the ones who are really serious about it meet in private little groups. I’ve actually got an appointment to talk to the leader of one sort of vampire coven later tonight.”

“Is that safe? I mean you’re going to go alone to talk to a guy who most likely really drinks human blood?”

“I think I’ll be okay. You of all people should know that not all vampires are bad people.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t chose to be a vampire. If I had my way I’d still be an ordinary mortal. I’m a bit suspicious of anybody who doesn’t have to live this lifestyle but does anyhow. Drinking blood isn’t always healthy, physically or psychologically speaking.”

“Aidan, this book is my goal, my life’s work. I can’t find out what I need to know just hanging around goth clubs. I need to go speak with this man.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“What?”

“I don’t want you to go alone.”

“Who appointed you my bodyguard? Besides, I could probably break you in two myself.”

“Ah, but you forget, I’m a true undead. I’m much, much stronger than I look. And I’m very hard to injure. I’ve been shot, stabbed, burned, and even staked, and I’m still here.”

“If you say so. But why do you want to protect me anyhow? I really can take care of myself. And you hardly know me.”

Aidan shrugged. “I’d like to think of you as a friend. I don’t have very many and it would be a shame for me to lose you before I even get to know you. Now, can I come along?”

“All right, since you insist.”

“So who is this character anyhow?”

Lucy told Aidan as much as she knew. Martin Jennings was his real name, but he went by the nickname “Janus” He was in his mid-thirties, a well-off businessman who had retired to pursue his interest in vampires and the occult. He was the leader of a group, the number of members unknown, who were all self-proclaimed vampires. There were a few whispered rumors that they actually preformed rituals with human blood, but nobody could say for certain. Lucy had gotten in touch with a member of the group who had been willing to set up an appointment with the man himself. The more Aidan heard, the more he was glad he was going along. Here on Earth magic wasn’t as omnipresent as it was back home on Mysteria, but in either place people who used blood magic were bad news.

They left the club well before closing and took a taxi across town. Janus was meeting them in his home, a posh apartment near the middle of the city. They were met at the entrance and escorted upstairs in a smooth and silent elevator. Janus himself greeted them at the door, giving Aidan a questioning look. “I was given to understand that you would be coming alone,” he said to Lucy.

“I decided to have a friend along, for my own protection. I hope you have no objections?”

“Of course not,” replied the distinguished man with a genteel smile that showed his sharply pointed canines. Aidan gave the man a good looking over. He was tall, in good shape, with dark hair just showing touches of silver at the temples. He was dressed in a neatly tailored suit, his hair was groomed to perfection, and only the fangs themselves gave any hint of his unusual obsessions.

The “vampire” who’d escorted them thus far was cut from the same mold. Shorter and less handsome, he too was dressed in a dark suit and he too had a set of sharp teeth. That’s just downright creepy, decided Aidan. Blood-sucking businessmen.

“Have a seat,” offered their host. When Lucy and Aidan were both seated, Aidan perched on the very edge of the chair to give his wings room, Janus sat opposite them and began, with a little smile, “So, how can I help you?”

“You’re aware of my project?” asked Lucy.

“You are writing a book on modern vampirism, correct?”

“Yes. I want to find out what’s behind this current trend. Vampires are suddenly popular, objects of fascination and even admiration rather than superstitious dread. I want to find out all I can about the people who are today’s vampires. I promise complete confidentiality, of course. I won’t use your name unless you want me to, and I’ll change details of location, appearance and so on so that no one will be able to identify you, if that’s the way you want it.”

“And so you want my life story, is that it?”

“Essentially.”

“And what of your friend here. Will he too keep confidentiality?”

“I have no interest in your story,” said Aidan. “I only came because I was concerned for Lucy’s safety. And I have my own reasons for wanting to avoid publicity. I won’t be telling anyone anything I hear from you. It would only draw unwanted attention on myself.”

“Yes,” said Janus, nodding. “I can see that. I admit to a certain curiosity about your nature myself. I could almost believe that those wings of yours are real.”

Aidan remained silent.

“Well,” said Janus, “I have a few more questions about this book of yours, and then I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Firstly, are you working alone on this project, or is it some kind of group effort?”

“It’s just me. The book was my idea and I haven’t actually told anybody else about it, other than a few interviewees like yourself.”

“Ah. Are you a well-known author then, in certain circles, or is this to be your debut?”

“I’ve published a few small stories and an article or two, but this will be my first book. I’m hardly well-known in any circle.”

Janus smiled, and suddenly Aidan had a very bad feeling. “Then it is entirely possible that nobody will ever guess I was the last to see you before you vanished,” he said.

“What?” Lucy jumped to her feet, but Janus’s henchman was blocking the door and he had drawn a gun from a shoulder holster that his tailored suit had hidden. She turned to Janus. “You’re insane! What are you doing?”

“You have perhaps heard rumors that I and my followers have blood rituals. Well, it would hardly be appropriate for us to use our own blood in them, would it? I usually find some homeless street bum, but here you were presenting yourself to me so handily, and with nobody who knew where you’d gone. How could I resist?” Turning to the man guarding the door he said, “Shoot the winged freak, we only need one for the ceremony.”

Aidan meanwhile had also gotten to his feet. He was poised, ready to move, with his hands on the hilts of his long belt daggers. When he heard Janus’s command he dove forward and to the side, making himself a harder target but moving toward the armed man. The man, however, was a good shot. Despite Aidan’s sudden movement he still managed to hit him. The impact knocked the aerian backward and Aidan doubled over for a moment with the sharp pain, but he was only stunned momentarily. The shooter was already lowering his weapon, thinking his job was done, when Aidan straightened and moved forward again, the motion almost quicker than human eyes could follow. He had his daggers out now and he was angry. But even enraged as he was he didn’t want to kill, so he hit the man with the pommel leading. The force of the blow was more than enough to drop him in his tracks.

Janus and Lucy were both staring, stunned. “Come on Lucy! Let’s get out of here!” shouted Aidan.

Lucy quickly shook off her shock and followed the sprinting aerian out the door. Janus too quickly recovered from his surprise. He grabbed a cell phone out of his pocket and Aidan could hear him calling for reinforcements as they pelted down the hall. “We probably shouldn’t take the elevator, let’s find the stairs,” he said. They quickly located the stairwell and soon were dashing down, Aidan leading the way, taking the steps four and five at a time. A door below them banged open and Aidan could hear feet hurrying up the stairs. “Great, they’re ahead of us.” He stopped on the next landing and exited into a hallway. This level seemed to be all offices. At this hour they were deserted, only a few emergency lights illuminating little patches of carpet beneath them. Aidan dashed down the hallway, looking for a second stairwell. He found it, but as soon as he opened the door he could hear ascending footsteps there too.

“We’re trapped,” said Lucy.

“Maybe not,” said Aidan. He turned to the nearest office. The door was locked, but that didn’t stop him. He pulled with all his strength and the lock broke. “Looks like we’re in luck,” he said. The office was a nice, spacious one with a huge floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over the city. They were about four stories up, too high to simply jump, but Aidan had something else in mind. He pushed the desk back out of the way and then turned and kicked the window. It broke with a spectacular shattering of glass. Shards went flying out into the night, glittering as they fell. Aidan turned to Lucy. “The only way out is down.”

She looked out the window, wide-eyed. “I hate heights,” she said.

“No time for that. Grab on, piggy-back style.” She looked at him as if he were insane. She was five or six inches taller then he and somewhat more heavily built as well. “Look,” said Aidan, “I can carry you. We won’t be able to really fly, it’s going to be more of a controlled fall, but I can do it. Now grab on, they’re almost here.”

The sounds of feet and voices in the hall decided her. She put her arms around Aidan’s neck and he didn’t wait for anything more, he simply dived out the window. For a heart-stopping moment they simply plunged down, but then Aidan spread his wings and gradually brought them out of the dive. He beat his wings rapidly, trying to gain altitude if he could, but they continued to sink. He heard the whirr of a bullet passing by and banked sharply, making Lucy grab tighter and shriek. If he’d needed to breathe he would have been in trouble because she had a death-grip on his neck. He turned and twisted in the air, limited by the weight of Lucy on his back and the necessity of avoiding violent motions that might throw her off. At last they reached the ground. The landing was rough, but they were safely down. Aidan looked back up at the building he’d just left. He could see the broken window and the tiny figures of a few men still standing there. He took Lucy’s arm and hurried her down the street and around the first corner he came to, safely out of sight.

Several more turns and quite a few blocks later they stopped to rest in a park. Lucy collapsed onto a bench, panting hard. Aidan sighed and sat next to her. “You all right?” he asked.

“I think so,” said Lucy. Then she blinked and said, “I should be asking you that! You got shot!”

Aidan looked down ruefully at his perforated and bloodstained shirt. “I’m fine. Unfortunately my only real shirt is now a total loss. You can’t exactly get aerian-cut shirts at Wal-Mart you know.” He peeled the shirt slowly off. Beneath it his skin was bloodied but already the bullet hole had healed completely. He used the ruined shirt to clean the blood off as best he could. “What a mess. Guess it’s a good thing I came along though.”

“That, that psycho! He was going to kill us both. I can’t believe it!”

“Well, at least we got away relatively unscathed.”

“You’re really doing fine?”

“Sure. I lost a little blood is all. No problem.”

“So what now?”

Aidan shrugged. “He might decide to just write us off.”

“We should be so lucky. But I don’t think so. I mean we know his dirty secret now. He kills people, he’s a murderer. He can’t afford to let us go.”

“You’re probably right. I’ll be fine, I can go back to living on rooftops and he’ll never find me. But I worry about you. He can track you down too easily. Would you have any objection to having a permanent bodyguard?”

“What, you?”

“Sure. You’ve seen how indestructible I am.”

“Yeah, but I do go places during the day too. What about then?”

“I can go out during daylight if I have to. But I think you’re in the most danger after dark anyhow.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to be a burden on you. I like to take care of my own problems.”

“It’s no burden. I got myself involved in this, and now there’s no backing out as far as I’m concerned. And I’d never forgive myself if that nutcase got you and I could have prevented it.”

“I guess I’ve got myself a bodyguard then.”

“I should start by escorting you home. Where do you live?”

“South Salt Lake,” said Lucy. “There’s a Trax stop pretty near here where I can catch a train.”

“Let’s go then.”

Lucy had a little apartment in a somewhat dilapidated complex. Inside however it was bright and cozy. “You planning on staying the night?” said Lucy.

“If you don’t mind,” replied Aidan. “It’s much simpler that way.”

“I don’t have a spare bed, just the couch.”

“That’s fine. Oh, I should probably warn you. I’m going to be out cold during daylight unless you really try to wake me, and I don’t breathe when I’m asleep. So don’t panic. I scared the life out of Owen the first day I slept at his place.”

“You seriously don’t breathe?”

“Yep.”

“This I’ll have to see… Well, goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

Over the next several weeks Aidan escorted Lucy everywhere she went after dark. He followed her on minor errands, braving the publicity of places like Wal-Mart and 7-11, and he went with her to interview her modern vampires. Somewhat to his surprise there was no trouble from Janus. Maybe he did write us off. He knows that I, at least, can’t afford to go to the police or the papers. But somehow Aidan couldn’t believe that Janus would let them go that easily. Still, as night after night passed without incident Aidan gradually relaxed a little.

Spending that much time together it was inevitable that Aidan and Lucy got to know each other very well. Lucy did get Aidan’s life story, and agreed that he probably wasn’t the kind of vampire she wanted for her book.

“I’m writing about the modern American vampire, people who choose the vampire lifestyle. But you’re more like something out of an old vampire story. One of Count Dracula’s unwilling victims or something.”

Aidan laughed. “Indeed. I have always wondered if there was any truth behind the Dracula story. I know that Dracula himself was a real man, but was he really a vampire? There are literally hundreds of stories and myths that have sprung up around the original book. Do any of them have any truth?”

“Are there any real vampires, I mean ones like you, in this world?” asked Lucy

“I honestly don’t know,” was Aidan’s reply. “It’s possible. Even if there weren’t to begin with, all it would take is one vampire from Mysteria coming here. But travel between the worlds usually goes the other way. I’ve never heard of a vampire from here. But that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.” He shrugged. “How is the book coming anyway?”

“I’ve got some good materiel. But I’ve got a long way to go. I mean my work here in Utah is only the beginning. The vampire community here is really quite small. Small but interesting.” She looked at Aidan and smiled. “And you’re probably the most interesting person in it. Maybe I’ll write another book about you. I’d have to publish it as a fictional account, but it could be quite a hit. You’ve had a pretty amazing life.”

Aidan shrugged, a bit embarrassed and not quite sure what to say.

“You’re a pretty amazing person, really,” said Lucy.

Aidan gave Lucy a penetrating look. There was something in the tone of her voice that was setting off warning alarms in his head. Then the sirens really started sounding as Lucy moved a bit closer to him on the couch where they sat and put her hand on his arm, saying, “You’re very lonely, I can see it. But you don’t need to be alone if you don’t want to.”

He gently moved her hand off of his arm. “I know where this is going, and I’m afraid I have to say no, Lucy.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I’m married. I can’t betray my wife.”

“She’s in another world. You said yourself that you’ll probably never see her again.”

Aidan shook his head. “There are moments when I despair and I think that, but when I’m in my right mind I know better. She’ll come for me. I don’t doubt it. She always has before, through obstacles just as great. She’s never let me down, and I can’t let her down. Even if it takes years, eventually she’ll find me.”

“I admire your faith,” said Lucy softly. “I’m a little bit disappointed too, I’ll admit. But commitment like yours is rare in this world, rare and precious. It’s good that you’re strong enough to stick to it.” She got up and went into her bedroom. Before she closed the door she turned back and said, “I hope this won’t ruin our friendship.”

Aidan smiled. “No. Don’t worry about that. A true friendship is also a rare and precious thing. It would take a lot more than this to ruin it.”

Aidan held onto his faith as week after week passed. He continued to guard Lucy, meeting with her vampires, going to the club, and going out in search of new contacts. He was a bit surprised to find out how much effort went into researching a book like that. Lucy told him that she expected to spend at least a couple of years before she had enough materiel to begin writing the final draft. “Another few months will see me finished with my work here in Utah,” she told Aidan. “Do you plan on coming with me when I head for San Francisco?”

“I don’t know,” Aidan replied. “I’ll have to see what happens between now and then.” They were again at The Sanctuary, sitting on the couch as usual. It was a Thursday, so there wasn’t much of a crowd. Owen was there, and a few other regulars, but Aidan and Lucy had the couch to themselves. “Who knows, by then I could be back home.”

“We can hope,” said Lucy with a smile.

“Hope springs eternal,” responded Aidan, grinning toothily. He was still homesick, but he was holding on to his faith. He’d never been particularly religious. Faith in God didn’t come easily to him. But faith in his wife was the center of his own personal belief system, such as it was. She had been the one constant in his life, always there for him since the day they’d first met.

“Looks like its time to head for home,” said Lucy. The bass beat from the dance floor had ended, replaced with some cheesy old song. It was the club’s way of gently reminding the patrons that the night was over and it was time to leave.

Aidan and Lucy collected their things, she reclaiming her coat, he his daggers. Suitably equipped to venture out onto the darkened city streets, they made their way along the six blocks or so to the Trax station. They had gone perhaps half way when Aidan heard a voice from behind him. A child’s voice. An impossibly familiar voice. “Daddy!”

He turned around to see a familiar red-headed girl running out of the shadows beyond the streetlamp where he stood. “Spark?” he said, almost not believing it. She flung herself at him and he wrapped his arms around her, tears welling up in his eyes. Then he heard other voices, the sound of other feet running. He looked up and saw the two red-headed boys, shorter and taller, sprinting after their sister. “Dart, Flare!” he said, gathering them both into his arms. And toddling after than was little raven-haired Shadowfire. “Shade!” He let go of the others and knelt down to hug the little girl. And then he looked up to see one last person approaching him. With a smile on her face Flame Song stepped out of the darkness. Aidan stood and stared at her for a moment and then they both ran at each other, coming together in a tight embrace. “Oh Flame, I’ve missed you so much!” Aidan said. Tears were streaming down his face as he held his wife close and wrapped his wings around her.

Lucy stood back and smiled. So this was Aidan’s family. It was very obvious how much he loved them. And then her smile faded as an all-too familiar man stepped out of the shadows, a gun in hand.

“Now isn’t this a sweet moment?” said Janus.

Aidan whipped around, placing himself between Janus and his family.

“I was going to threaten your young friend there, but this is so much better.” He gestured and a second man stepped out next to him. “Aim at the youngest,” said Janus. “If he doesn’t cooperate, shoot her.”

The man stepped to the side and trained his gun on little Shadowfire. “Now,” said Janus, “I have come to the interesting conclusion that you are a real vampire. A genuine immortal. And I want to be immortal. I want it very badly. So here is what will happen. You will do whatever is needed to make me into a true vampire, right now. If you do this, your family will live. If you do not they will be killed one by one until you decide to cooperate. Understand?”

“I understand,” said Aidan through gritted teeth. He looked over at Flame Song. There was a faint blurring hovering over her. She was focused on the gunman and ready to shift shape in an instant. “You realize that in order to change you, I’ll have to take a significant quantity of your blood?”

“Yes. Just remember that if anything happens to me, the girl dies.”

Aidan seemed to slump in defeat. He nodded. “All right. I’ll do it.”

Janus lowered his gun and beckoned Aidan over. He held out his left arm, his intention clear. Aidan bent over and took the man’s wrist in his hands. Suddenly he shouted “Down!” and jerked Janus’s arm downward, forcing the taller man to one knee. Behind him he heard a shot and a man’s scream. He punched Janus in the face as hard as he could, feeling bones give beneath his fist, and spun around. Flame Song, in firecat form, was sitting on the gunman, paws firmly planted on his chest. The four children were all flattened to the ground, but none of them seemed harmed. Lucy was just standing there, staring.

“Is everyone all right?” asked Aidan. The children picked themselves up off the ground, gathering around Aidan for comfort. They all were unhurt. Flame Song didn’t take her eyes off of the man she had pinned, but she said, “I’m fine too. He just grazed me. When he saw me coming he decided he’d rather shoot at me than at Shade, which is what I’d hoped he’d do.”

“You okay too Lucy?” said Aidan.

Lucy started. “Yeah. Just in shock I think.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “Er… what now?”

“I guess we should decide what to do with this fellow,” said Aidan, looking at the terrified gunman.

“I should tear him to pieces,” snarled Flame. “Nobody tries to hurt my daughter and gets away with it.”

“What about Janus?” asked Lucy.

Aidan glanced over at the still, crumpled form at the edge of the streetlight’s circle of illumination. “It’s too late to do anything about him,” said Aidan sadly. “I didn’t want to take chances, so I didn’t pull my punch. I think I broke his neck.”

“Well good riddance,” said Flame, angrily. “I don’t need a longer acquaintance with him to know that this world is better off without him in it.” She turned to the prone gunman, sharp teeth bared. “It would probably be better without this one too.”

The man looked like he was about ready to faint. “Let him up,” said Aidan, “but don’t let him get away until I’m done with him.” Flame got off the man’s chest. “Get up,” commanded Aidan. The gunman scrambled to his feet.

“Now, I’m only going to tell you this once,” said Aidan, his fangs bared in an ugly snarl. “All I want is peace and quiet in my life. You and Janus ruined that, and for that Janus has paid with his life. If you, or any of your little cultist friends, or your relatives, or even your casual acquaintances ever bother me or my family again, you’ll pay the same price, only you won’t go as painlessly as Janus did because I’ll let my wife tear you slowly into little pieces, and I’ll just watch and laugh. Do you understand that?”

“Y-y-yes,” stuttered the man, almost too terrified to speak.

“Then get out of here and hope to God I never see you again.”

The man bolted off into the darkness.

Aidan sighed deeply, letting the tension and rage he’d been holding on to loose. He felt suddenly tired.

“We should get out of here,” said Lucy. “If a policeman happens along we’d be in serious trouble.”

Aidan nodded. “Is it going to be all right if we all go to your place?”

“Of course,” said Lucy.

Aidan smiled slightly. “Thanks.” He scooped up Shadowfire, taking comfort in the living warmth of his daughter, reaffirming to himself that she was unharmed, and said, “Let’s go.”

As they walked down the street Aidan asked Flame, “How did you find me?”

“It was Jordanis, actually. When you didn’t come back… I was afraid you were dead, but somehow I didn’t think you were. I felt that you must still be alive, that I would know if you’d died. So I went to Jordanis and asked him to look for you. When he couldn’t find you anywhere I was afraid I’d been wrong, that you were dead after all, but when he looked back in time to see what had happened he saw you just vanish. It took a long time, but we finally discovered you’d been sent here. Well, he sent you a portal as soon as he found you, but you know what happened with that. You couldn’t go through it. I decided that if we couldn’t bring you back home that I would go to you instead. So we came. That’s pretty much all there is to it. How did this happen though? Why are you here? What about the demon?”

“He’s the one that sent me here. He put a spell on the torc to keep it from going through portals. He thought that eventually I’d be homesick enough to take the torc off so that I could go back to Mysteria.”

Flame shook her head. “The spell isn’t on the torc. It’s on you.”

“What?!” Aidan stopped in his tracks for a moment. Then he started walking again and let out a little laugh. “I might have known. That’s just the sort of dirty trick a demon would pull. I take the thing off, he turns up and nabs it, and then no doubt sticks around and laughs when I try an step through a portal and still can’t.”

“You will be able to go home eventually,” said Flame. “Jordanis is working on undoing the spell. The time flow between Mysteria and here is really unstable though, so there’s no telling how long it will be in Earth time before we can go back.”

“And when I do go back I’m going to be right back in the same mess I was in before, with Asmodeus’s henchmen always lurking around the next corner.” He sighed. “I wish I could just be rid of him.”

By that time they’d arrived at the station. Aidan say down on a bench, and soon he had Shadowfire in his lap and the other children sitting next to him. Flame smiled at the sight. “They’ve really missed you, you know.”

“Well I’ve missed them,” said Aidan.

“Why have we stopped here?” asked Ariana.

“We’re waiting for a train,” said Aidan. “It’s a kind of machine that will take us where we’re going. Like a wagon, but without any horses.”

“Neat,” said Firedart. “When is it coming?”

“Soon,” said Aidan.

When the train arrived they all climbed aboard. Ariana and Phoenixflare got on without any hesitation. Firedart hesitated, but that was because he was trying to see what made it go. Aidan carried Shadowfire aboard, as she was starting to fall asleep.

Firedart was disappointed when the train stopped and they disembarked. He was the only one though. The other three were yawning. At Lucy’s apartment Lucy said, “I’ll let you folks share the bedroom. I can sleep on the couch tonight.”

“You don’t have to,” said Aidan.

“I’m going to anyhow,” said Lucy with a smile. She stretched out on the couch and motioned Aidan into the bedroom. “Go on. Those kids look like they’re about to fall over.”

Aidan shrugged and went into the bedroom. The queen-sized bed proved large enough for the whole family to pile in, and soon everyone but Aidan was sound asleep. He simply lay there waiting for sunrise. He found tears again trickling down his cheeks as he lay there surrounded by his family. He was still trapped here on Earth, but he didn’t care one bit. He had his family back and that was all that mattered.

When Lucy woke up the apartment was quiet. She went to the bedroom and peeked in, curious. Aidan was lying on his side, sound asleep, with one wing half spread over his wife, who was snoring softly. The four children were all asleep too, but Lucy was a bit surprised to see they looked different now than they had earlier. The oldest girl, snuggled up next to her father, had become a half-cat, half aerian creature, her feline face serene in slumber. The youngest, cuddled between her parents, was still mostly human, but had acquired a set of wings to match her father’s and the two boys were now feline, one humanoid, the other not, and both were also winged.

Odd little family he’s got there, thought Lucy to herself. But it’s obvious how much they care for each other. I could wish my own family was more like that.

An hour or so later, as Lucy was sitting on the couch and reading, Flame Song emerged from the bedroom.

“Hello,” said Lucy.

“Hi,” replied Flame. “Thank you for letting us stay here.”

“It’s no trouble,” replied Lucy. “I owe your husband my life, so it’s the least I could do. Do you think you’ll all be going home soon?”

“I honestly don’t know,” said Flame. “Time between the two worlds is kind of strange. There’s no way to tell how long it’ll take our friend to work out how to bring Aidan home. Don’t worry about us moving in with you, I’m sure we can find somewhere else to stay if we’re here too long.”

“Look, I can more than afford to let you stay with me for as long as it takes. I’m serious about owing your husband. My life is worth more to me than any possible inconvenience from having you all here, and if not for Aidan I’d be dead right now. You can stay here for as long as it takes.”

“Thank you,” said Flame.

“You’re…” Lucy was interrupted by a crash from the bedroom. She and Flame both dashed in that direction. Flame got there first. Looking in through the door she saw Ariana still in the bed, sitting up and holding Shadowfire protectively, with Firedart clinging to her. Phoenixflare was standing on front of them, wings spread and sharp feline teeth bared in a snarl of defiance. Aidan was crouched between the bed and the near corner of the room with his right-hand long dagger drawn. On the floor a lamp, no doubt knocked over when Aidan jumped out of bed, was the obvious source of the crash Flame had heard. When Flame stepped into the room she saw the cause of all the commotion. Standing in the corner with an expression of sardonic amusement on his too-handsome face was the demon Asmodeus.

“Hello Aidan. You’ll be happy to hear that our little difficulties with one another are shortly to be over and done with,” said the demon.

Aidan drew the little dagger he always kept hidden at the small of his back with his left hand, said, “You’re right,” and with no further dramatics, threw it at Asmodeus. At that range there was no way he could miss his intended target. The dagger hit exactly where the demon’s heart would be if he’d had one. For a long moment nothing happened. Asmodeus smiled and looked down at the dagger, his hand lifting as if to draw it down. Then suddenly his eyes widened in pain and he let out a shriek.

“What have you done?” he howled, writhing with pain. His form twisted further than was humanly possible and began to lose all semblance of humanity, reverting to the ugly monstrosity that was the demon’s true appearance. Then even that began to dissolve, collapsing to the carpet in a pile of gooey slime.

“Yuck,” said Phoenixflare eloquently.

“Very yuck,” agreed Aidan. “But I am more than glad to see the last of him.”

“You mean just like that, it’s over?” said Flame Song.

“Yep,” said Aidan, suddenly grinning. “Over at last! No more assassins lurking, no more watching over my shoulder, no more worries about what nasty annoying plot he’s going to come up with next. It’s all over!”

“What do you think he was going to do?” asked Flame.

“I don’t know. No doubt if I’d given him a few minutes he would have told me all about his next clever plan, he was very fond of that sort of thing. But I wasn’t going to give him one more second than I had to.”

“Is he really gone for good?”

“Yes. Jordanis helped me put the spell on that dagger. He’s dead, completely and permanently. Gone forever.”

“Well, his mortal remains are making a mess of my carpet,” said Lucy with a somewhat shaky laugh.

“I’ll help you clean it up,” said Aidan.

Three weeks later Jordanis contacted them with the good news that he’d figured out the demon’s spell and Aidan could go home. He was surprised to find that he regretted leaving behind the friends he’d made. Owen, Lucy, and a handful of others had helped him through a difficult time and he would miss them. He took one day to say his goodbyes, made one last visit to The Sanctuary, and then he stepped through the portal with wife and children by his side and was home.

Flame threw her arms around Aidan in an enthusiactic hug. Then she hugged Jordanis too. “Thank you, my friend. Thank you very much.”

“Yes,” said Aidan. “Thank you. Thank you for brining me home at last. And,” he added, “Thank you for paving the way so that I can finally have peace. No more demons!”

“You’ll miss Earth a bit, won’t you?” asked Flame as they sat together in front of the fire, back in their own house at last.

“Just a little bit,” said Aidan. “But who knows, I may get to go back again someday. I’ve got a lot of living left to do. There’s room for many things to happen.”

“That’s true. For both of us life is still just beginning, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” He laughed. “It’s like a clichéd quote I heard back on Earth. ‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life.’ And it is. The rest of my life is in front of me.”

Flame smiled at him warmly. “And for the rest of my life you’ll be right there by my side.”

Aidan smiled back. “Always,” he said softly, and then he kissed her, and for a long time there were no more words to be spoken.

Epilogue