Free Prophecy of the Undead by Fiona McGier Page B

sensual delights. However, we have more important things to talk about now, so listen to me.”
    She forced herself to concentrate.
    “We are going to be visiting two of the older ones. One is only a few hundred years older than me. He was born in Russia also so we have the bond of national kinship. His lover for centuries is Hispanic. He no longer goes by his birth name but changed it to reflect the many years they’ve lived in Mexico and Central America. His name is Casimiro Pavlenko—his first name translates roughly to ‘famous destroyer’.
    “The other is much older...possibly seven hundred years—give or take a few decades. He’s the oldest one I have ever met. He came to the New World back before it was known to anyone except those who already lived here and a few hardy souls who made a one-way voyage across the sea. His name is Apolinar Villalba, and his first name translates as ‘the destroyer’. They regard the similarity in the meanings of their names as being part of the fate that drew them together.”
    “What? That they both want to destroy things? Sound like typical macho -men to me. The alpha types who trample over everyone else and then wonder why no one likes them.”
    “Yes. Please remember—whereas I find your sarcasm entertaining, they won’t. They insisted on meeting you and plan to share blood with you.”
    “Ew? Do I have to?”
    Yuri sighed.
    “I’m afraid so. They want to probe your intelligence but have sworn to me that you won’t be harmed. I have no idea what they will offer to you in return. Usually when we share blood, the drinker is in control of what he or she learns from your brain while the blood is connected. In your case, they will be in control both times.”
    Keisha’s voice was small. “You’re afraid for me, aren’t you?”
    He nodded.
    “Then I’m terrified.”
    “Don’t be. As I said, I have their sworn word that you won’t be harmed, either here or anywhere else—ever—by them or any of their agents. Believe me, you don’t live as long as I have without learning how much detail you have to put into agreements like this. I tried to cover all of the bases. If you are threatened, I stand prepared to die for you.”
    “Can they do that?”
    “If they choose. There really is no point to it. They have nothing to gain from ending my life. They are already feared and respected due to their advanced years. Most of the younger ones have never heard of them except in whispers about the Ancient Ones who’ve lived long enough to become indestructible themselves, while gaining the knowledge of how to cause other vampires to die a final death. Those who know them, like me, are far and few between. I have met Casimiro a few times...shared blood with him each time. His is an ordered mind—filled with numbers, statistics, and math formulas, the stuff of his dreams. Apolinar is totally opposite. The brief flash of insight I had the one time I met him was filled with violent colors and shapes. He is a painter whose works are in museums all over the world under many different names.”
    “I’m not less frightened but knowing you are there with me will be some comfort.”
    Yuri smiled grimly. “I won’t let any harm come to you if I can help it. Not much of a comfort but the best I can do.”
    The plane was landing, so they stopped talking to make preparations to disembark.

Chapter Ten
    As they exited the airport, Keisha gasped at the blast of hot dry air that slapped her in the face.
    “Wow. I haven’t been cold since that first night, when your advice about the long hot shower was just what I needed. But this? How does anyone breathe in this kind of heat?”
    Yuri grinned. “I was born close to Siberia so I find it uncomfortable. Casimiro has lived all over the world, but will live wherever Apolinar chooses. He was born in Spain so hot and dry is his first choice. This is as far north as he will usually come. Most of the year they are both in either Mexico or