CHAPTER 222

 

It was a blessing beyond everything Hephaistion could have imagined to watch Alexander sleeping and breathing once again. So many times he had dreamed with this moment, longed for it with all his forces, not caring if he had to sell his soul, paying no attention to all those stories about Kali, Kaine’s sword… No price was too high to pay, not if he had the chance to admire his lover’s sleeping face again, one more time.

 

Yes, he had dreamed with the moment he was finally enjoying every single night but, to actually live it, to be there, was better than anything he could have imagined, was better than the blood of his victims in his mouth, better than glory and riches, better than immortality. The pallor that for 2 thousand years had covered Alexander’s skin was gone, his cheeks rosy as he remembered them and his heart beating in that steady rhythm that was like music for him.

 

It’s a miracle –there was no other way to describe this. Hephaistion found himself unable to stop crying, so many emotions in his heart, making him feel like a mortal after centuries of being a demon. He had a plan but had been unable to wait for much longer and had came to see if Alexander was fine— He is asleep so it won’t matter –he forced himself to leave aside his own feelings, even if that was one of the most difficult things he had ever done, and to call the cold scientist and necromancer in him, to see if his lover was fine, he had to make sure he was no rotting.

 

Hephaistion closed his eyes and, when he opened them again, he was that creature that had been reborn from the ashes of his old-self, the fiend that lurked in the night. He cast over Alexander all the spells he knew, pouring over him 2 millennia of knowledge, just as he had done with Aislinn, forcing himself to stay calm— He is fine, he has to be, but I need to do this –maybe if he hadn’t been invited to witness the result of Enki’s experiments he wouldn’t be so nervous, so scared, but now he knew how wrong could his experiments end.

 

The look in Aislinn’s eyes is something I won’t forget any time soon, and I will kill myself before seeing the same fear in Alex –it took the Tzimisce at least 2 hours before he was fully satisfy but, at the end, he confirmed what Anaxagoras had said: it was just as if Alexander had waken up after a very long sleep and, defying all the rules of nature, he was fine— Thank you, thank you –he didn’t know who was he thanking but he did, after 2 thousand years, after night after night of darkness, he was once again with Alexander— I don’t deserve this and still… here he is.  

 

Maybe there was a god who fed of sorrow and suffering, maybe there was a god who found tears worthy sacrifices— Or maybe there is a god who can feel pity for a creature like me –he cleaned the red tears with the back of his hand and turned ready to leave. His work was done and, even if his whole being was screaming to embrace Alexander, covered him in kisses, cry against his chest and tell him over and over again he loved him and how much he had missed it, he couldn’t.

 

I can’t, I have to wait. I love him too much to threaten his sanity just because I can’t control myself –Hephaistion had planned to change his cloths, to wear a chiton again until he could explain to Alexander about the changes of the new Era— We have to do this slowly, little by little or…

 

— Phai? –Hephaistion stopped at the threshold, his eyes wide opened, staring at the front with the purest surprise shining in them. He looked human again while a strange emotion ran through his body, making him feel as if his heart could beat again at any moment. How long had it been since the last time he heard that voice in the world of the material?— Phai, is that you?

 

He had his back on Alexander, he was unable to move, to think, to react, what should he do? Oh, the moment he had dreamed and dreaded was happening and he felt unprepared, lost. He heard the rustling of the sheets and how his lover was standing up ready to come to him— What now? This was not suppose to happen, not yet –he panicked.

 

— Phai? –Alexander called him again and Hephaistion closed his eyes, turning slowly, opening the again to face him.

 

He had imagined this moment for centuries, thinking carefully what was he going to say, which could be the prefect words to greet his lover after so long, what should he do, how would he react but, when he saw once again those uneven eyes on him, Hephaistion felt overwhelmed and the only thing he could do was cry and fall on his knees. Alexander ran at his side, kneeling to embrace him, feeling a joy he had never experienced with such intensity, his heart beating against his throat.

 

— Phai, oh dear Zeus!…Phai, is really you –his lover cried, unable to believe this was happening, the miracle he asked the Gods since his beloved had died was finally happening; all his suffering hadn’t been in vain and every tear he had shed had been rewarded with this wonderful moment, with being able to embrace Hephaistion again— The Gods…heard me and…you are…alive! –Alexander tried to caress his cheek but Hephaistion moved away, as if his lover had punched him, covering his face with his hands.

 

— Don’t, please…don’t look at me –he begged with an anguished that broke the blond’s heart.

 

— What’s wrong? Phai…—Alexander took his wrists softly, his voice trembling with emotion. He still couldn’t believe this was happening…was it an illusion? No, the gods couldn’t be this cruel to him, to let him touch paradise for a second just to cast him again to hell— Phai, I prayed day and night for a miracle, to have you again at my side no matter how and now…now you are here…Let me see you, you don’t know for how long I wished to see your eyes again –he took Hephaistion’s hands, slowly, moving them away to see that beautiful face he adored and then, the blond saw the blood tears over his cheeks— Are you hurt? 

 

The innocent question so full with love and concerned made his beloved smile, even more watching how Alexander cleaned his bloody tears with all care and love, caressing his cheeks, letting him enjoyed the wonderful aroma of his skin that for centuries had been death.

 

— Alex… –he took his lover’s hands and kissed his palms with devotion. Oh, it was a dream to feel his skin warm once again— Alex, I am fine I…—how could he explained what he was now? How could he put this into words?— I am a demon.

 

— As always, you are exaggerating –said the blond ignoring him and Hephaistion could have laughed if he hadn’t been so scared.

 

— Look at me, look at me carefully –asked his beloved, almost pleading— What do you see?

 

Alexander took his time before answering that question. Now that the initial shock, excitement and happiness were gone he saw that, this Hephaistion in front of him, was different from the one he remembered, from the man he had loved with all his heart— But why? –the question was driving him mad, he was his beloved but, at the same time, he wasn’t. The blond took his fingers to his beloved’s face, tracing his features, sliding them down his impossible soft cheeks, over a skin so perfect it was almost irreal. He outlined his lips and Hephaistion opened his mouth slightly letting him see…

 

— Fangs? You have fangs? –Alexander looked at him without understanding, confused and befuddled.

 

— Alex, I am not alive –said his beloved as softly as he could. This was a moment Hephaistion had dreaded all his no-life and he didn’t know how to explain all this, not even if he had rehearsed in his mind thousands of times. He took the blond’s hand and placed it over his chest, and then, Alexander looked alarmed noticing his heart didn’t beat— I have a false life. I don’t breath and my heart doesn’t beat…

 

— But you are talking –said the blond without voice. If Hephaistion wasn’t alive, how was he there, in front of him?— How…how is this possible?

 

— That’s because I am a demon –he said again and this time Alexander looked at him with all his attention— I am a Child of Kaine, a vampire and…I am immortal.

 

Hephaistion explained with all calm what had happened to him, how was that Bendis stole his body and granted him the Dark Gift, what was a Child of Kaine, about his curse about everything; both still sitting on the floor and neither moving. Hephaistion was too scared and, once he started to talk he couldn’t stop, and Alexander was too surprised to even move. The blond said nothing, asked nothing, he just listened, drinking on every word and, when his beloved finished, a heavy silence fell on both of them, like a mantle.

 

— Please…—Hephaistion begged, scared as he had never been before in more than 2 thousand years— Say something. I know this is…difficult to say the least and I…I will understand if you hate me but I need to know what you think.

 

For a moment Alexander looked lost, as if he didn’t understand what was Hephaistion saying, as if his beloved had talked in another language. Everything Hephaistion had said was as fantastic as it was impossible. A creature that fed upon the blood of mortals? A fiend that couldn’t exist under the sunlight? An immortal who could mold flesh and bone as he will?— It’s impossible! – Hephaistion had lived in the dark for 2 millennia, had done despicable things, had gone to the underworld looking to bring him back into the world of the material and Alexander should be scared, horrified, and yet…

 

The blond took a deep breath. He knew exactly what he felt, he knew!

 

— At your funeral I prayed with all my forces to be with you again –said Alexander in a soft voice, lacking all emotion, remembering the excruciating pain of having lost his soul mate, the nights alone wishing to die just to be able to see his beloved again— I prayed that, no matter how, I wanted to be with you again –he looked directly at Hephaistion’s dark gray eyes, the same eyes he had loved and, at the same time, so different— I didn’t care if I had to slain half the world, sell my soul or renounce to everything I have achieved, I needed to be with you again and…If this is the only way in which we can be together…so be it.

 

And, at last, after all he had lived, Hephaistion smiled with pure happiness, at last he could rest, that heavy burden crushing him was gone and he embraced his lover with force, at last, at long last everything was over— I am complete again –Alexander kissed his cheek and his beloved turned, he hesitated a moment and then, closed the distance between them, savoring their first kiss after centuries.  

 

XXX

 

— So, did he lose his mind or what? –asked Lucius when he saw Alexander sitting in front of the table, eating everything Eric’s ghoul had brought. Since they wanted to take things slowly the poor ghoul had had a hard time looking in the whole city for the most similar food to the one the blond was used to when he was alive. He had done a good job.

 

Hephaistion didn’t want his lover to leave the basement and see the rest of that modern house until they had talked and he had explained more about the XXI Century. And precisely because the Tzimisce wanted to take things slowly, he frowned when he saw the Roman standing there, dressed in jeans and T-shirt with and similar dressed Eric.

 

— I told you, nothing of modern cloths –Hephaistion scolded him.

 

— You are dressed just like me so shut up –answered Lucius, happy to see his friend so happy, and walked to them, followed by an equally happy and very curious Viking. The Tzimisce rolled his eyes tired, just like Nikandros, it was impossible to argue with the Roman.

 

— Who are they? –asked Alexander who hadn’t stopped asking questions since he started to eat. There was so much he wanted to know! And Hephaistion was happy to explain everything.

 

— They are my friends, also Children of Kaine –answered the Tzimisce, falling silent for a moment, remembering Kaine’s purple eyes. The First Vampire was waiting, hidden in the Umbra, waiting for the end of the world. Did that mean the end of the world was near? Hephaistion shook his head, he shouldn’t be thinking in those things. Besides, even if the world were coming to an end, he didn’t care as long as Alexander was at his side— Lucius Cornelius Macro and Eric Northman –he introduced them.

 

Alexander cocked his head and looked at Lucius with curiosity, the piece of bread forgotten in his hand.

 

— Cornelius…he has the same name as that wretched Scipio –the blond complained making his beloved smile. He couldn’t be happier seeing nothing had changed.

 

— That’s because he is Roman too –Hephaistion explained— But Lucius was born more than 300 years after the Publius you knew.

 

— This is so weird –said Alexander, looking at the Roman— So, how old are you?

 

Lucius smirked and crossed his arms.

 

— You know, sunshine? That’s not a very polite question to ask –he pretended to be offended.

 

— He is 2004 years old –answered Hephaistion and up went his lover’s eyebrows.

 

— 2004 but…—Alexander turned to look at his beloved— How old are you? –Hephaistion opened and closed his mouth. It was hard for the blond to get use to this, to know you were speaking to someone who had lived for so long, someone who was still here when empires and kingdoms had fallen and when great palaces and buildings were nothing but dust. This Roman had lived more years than the Persian Empire.

 

— 2,368 years old –this time it was Lucius who answered with a big evil smile.

 

— Thank you –Hephaistion complained.

 

— You are welcome –the Roman turned to look at Alexander— Now, asked Phai about his lovers.

 

— Lucius! –the Tzimisce raised his voice but the blond wasn’t paying attention.

 

— Does that mean… I was dead for that long? –Anaxagoras had told Alexander what year was but, it was only now that Alexander truly understood how long had been since he closed his eyes in Babylon— Did I leave you alone for 2 thousand years? –he was in shock but not because of the fact that he had been dead, but because his beloved had had to live alone for so long.

 

I thought I was going crazy without Phai and I only had to suffer for 8 months –thought Alexander— What would I have done in 2,000 years? –he had thought this many times but, only now he confirmed Hephaistion was stronger than him.

 

— Are we still in Babylon? –he wanted to know. The question made Lucius laugh and Hephaistion almost kicked him out of the room.

 

— No, but I will explain with calm where we…

 

— Why does this place look like Babylon then?

 

— Because I thought it would be better for you if you were in a familiar place –answered Hephaistion, Alexander was like a 5 years old kid who wanted to know it all at once.

 

— So, how is really this place?

 

— In time I will let you…—but the blond left him talking and went outside, climbing the stairs to the upper floors.

 

— Oh, crap! –exclaimed Hephaistion running behind him.

 

— I have to admit this will be fun –said Eric, smiling.

 

— Damn right –said Lucius and both laughed.

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion wanted to take things with calm but Alexander didn’t let him, too curious and to anxious to stay like a good boy in the basement until his beloved said he was ready to face the new world. The blond watched fascinated the house, turning on and off the lights, opening every door, touching everything and watching the furniture as if it came from another planet. He literally was like a child, everything was new and fascinating and he ran around the house asking questions about everything, breaking lamps and ruining a phone.

 

— Who would have thought we would end babysitting a King? –asked Eric, his back against the wall, as fascinated as Alexander.

 

— You know? You don’t look like a King –said Lucius, watching Alexander as if he were an exotic animal— You are shorter than me, shouldn’t a famous conqueror like you be at least taller? The divus Julius was a tall man and…

 

— Yes Lucius, we know you are in love with Caesar –Hephaistion interrupted him— Now, leave Alex alone.

 

— I may not be tall but at least you know who I am –said Alexander with his head in the refrigerator—Even after 2 thousand years –and this was something that made the blond immensely happy, to know he had achieved what he had always wanted, immortality. 

 

— He has a point –said Eric but Lucius just grumbled and mumbled.

 

XXX

 

But the greatest surprise for Alexander came when he opened the doors of the balcony and saw that monstrous thing that was the city. It was like a vision, an imposing sight, and his uneven eyes watched how night became bright as the day, everything was light and noise, full with life and so many people! He stopped and watched everything without understanding but with overwhelming interest— How was that the world changed so much? 

 

Hephaistion walked slowly to him, trying his best to make noise. He could move very fast and with graceful and fluent movements without making the slightest noise, but he knew this was unnerving for the mortals and he didn’t want to scare his lover. It was difficult for the Tzimisce to live again with a living man, so used to his friends, to be among immortals; he had noticed also that Alexander was uneasy seeing he didn’t breath and so he made an effort to pretend he was alive. 

 

— It’s impressive the first time you see the city –said the Tzimisce, stopping at his side on the same balcony that had see him musing and brooding so many nights. But not again, he would not be alone again.

 

— This place is…—Alexander fell silent, unable to put in words all the emotions in his heart— The world changed.

 

— The world is always changing –said Hephaistion, understanding him better than Alexander thought. Many ancient vampires like him chose to sleep for years, unable to adapt to the modern world or just hiding from their enemies and, when they woke up, they were as confused and lost as his lover was now— I have much to tell you, to show you –he took his lover’s hand— But we have time, all the time we want to do it.

 

Alexander smiled at him.

 

XXX

 

— What do you mean he has something strange in him? –asked Hephaistion the following night.

 

It was difficult for Alexander to adapt to the idea that his beloved couldn’t go out during the day, to know he was cursed and confined to live only in the darkness, to know they would never be able to ride under the sun or to enjoy a peaceful morning under the trees…Yes, all this was difficult but, just as Alexander had prayed centuries ago during his beloved’s funeral, it didn’t matter how, as long as they were together, Alexander would endure everything.

 

Eric’s ghoul kept the blond company while the vampires went to rest, answering the King’s questions and explaining everything in the best way he could. The only thing Hephaistion had forbade his lover to do was to leave the house and the blond had given him his word that he would obey, even if he were dying to go out and explore the streets. And everything was just perfect until Anaxagoras came with his alarming observation.

 

— I don’t know how to explain it to you –said the Spartan, trying his best to put into words his hunch— But Alexander has a peculiar aura, he is not like another mortal.

 

— What do you mean? –now the Macedonian was worried.

 

— His blood smells just like a ghoul’s blood –said Anaxagoras. He really didn’t want to alarm his friend but considered it better to speak to him with the truth than discovered later that all this work and Hephaistion’s efforts had been in vain and that his lover, his soul mate and other half, would die again— I know you want me to give Alexander the Dark Gift, but…I may be no mage or necromancer but trust me, your King is not a normal mortal and I don’t think it wise to Embrace him until we know what’s wrong with him.

 

Hephaistion was devastated, could this mean all had been for nothing?— No, I can’t despair, not now. If there is something wrong with Alex I need to investigate –Lucius was right, Anaxagoras was older and wiser than them and it would be good to listen to him. He hadn’t noticed anything unusual but he was so happy that he wasn’t thinking correctly. Yes, he had to investigate.  

 

XXX

 

The Tzimisce didn’t lose time and went to look for his lover, once again feeling the powerful grip of fear holding his heart and despair threatening to consume him. He found Alexander with Eric, both again in the balcony, watching the city. The Viking was explaining what were cars while pointing down with the shorter blond pending of each one of his words. 

  

— They are amazing things –said Eric, excited— Since the first one appeared I fell in love with them, I even have a collection of old cars that Lucius hates with all his forces.

 

— Why? –Alexander wanted to know, eager to know everything he could about this world.

 

— He hates every modern devise of transportation –Eric smiled— Honestly I don’t know why, I find them amazing. You know you can go from Athens to India in a day? –and up went Alexander’s eyebrows in amazement.

 

— You are kidding me! –the Viking laughed.

 

— No, no. I am dead serious –said Eric, having the time of his life.

 

— You can go from Athens to India by car in one day? –Alexander’s eyes shone with excitement imagining all the things he could have done in his time if he had had a car.

 

— Em, no –the Viking tried his best not to laugh— By car it would be more time. You’ll have to take a plane. 

 

— What’s that?

 

— A device on which you can fly –now was Alexander’s turned to laugh.

 

— You truly are messing with me, aren’t you?

 

—  Oh, no. It’s true, it’s part of the wonders of this era, just like these things –he showed him his cell phone— You can call someone from here to whatever place you like, no matter how far. Imagine if you had had a thing like this back on your time, you could have talked to all your officers in a moment, or even better there is this…

 

— Alex, I need to talk to you –Hephaistion interrupted them. Alexander was going to complain because he truly wanted to know how a cell phone worked or if a plane could really fly, it all so fascinating and he couldn’t wait to go out of the house but, one look at his beloved’s face and he frowned. He knew that face.  

 

— What’s wrong? –His beloved didn’t answer and enter the house again. Alexander followed him and Hephaistion shook his head.

 

— Nothing, I just need to analyze your blood –answered his beloved forcing himself to smile and reassure his lover that everything was fine, he didn’t want to scare him— I want to make sure everything is in order.  

 

Even if Alexander didn’t understood exactly why was this necessary or what did Hephaistion meant by “make sure everything was in order” he gave him his hand. He trust him completely. Hephaistion watched the palm for a moment, caressing it with his fingers— I can’t give up, ever if something is wrong with Alex…I will find a remedy —he cut his lover’s palm turning his own nails sharp as knives, and was going to lick the blood when he saw, for his complete astonishment, that the wound closed by itself in the blink of an eye.

 

— What is it? –asked the blond when Hephaistion said nothing but his beloved just shook his head. Something really weird was happening there, and, with that in mind he licked Alexander’s blood. 

 

Anaxagoras is right, his blood doesn’t taste like the one of other mortals. What does this means? –he asked himself, once again worried of what could happen.

 

XXX

 

— Immortal? What does that mean? –asked Lucius when Hephaistion gave them the news days later and only after he had done all the tests and experiments he could think of.

 

— It’s been a week since Alex woke up and, after a thorough investigation, I am sure of one thing –the Tzimisce made a pause— Alexander is immortal.

 

— Immortal how? –asked Anaxagoras, very serious. This were huge news, so far they only knew of 2 ways to achieve immortality: one, giving a person the Dark Gift and two, turning a person into a ghoul. Werewolves were not immortal, they just lived longer than normal persons, wraiths weren’t alive the same as zombies so, what exactly had Hephaistion done without realizing it?

 

— It’s hard to explain. Alex doesn’t age, his wounds heal almost as fast as ours and his blood tastes just like the blood of a ghoul, with a slight trace of the vitae of a Child of Kaine –answered Hephaistion— My theory is Alex spent so many years under preserving spells, taking my blood to cure the rooting state that 3 days of decay had left in his body and the damage the poison had done, that he doesn’t age anymore.

 

They all feel silent for a moment in the Tzimisce’s study. Alexander was in the garage, inside one of Hephaistion’s cars, and they could hear the alarm or the horn every time the blond touch something he shouldn’t but, the 4 vampires there were too concentrated on this to pay any attention to the noise. 

 

— But then, he can’t die? –Lucius wanted to know, to understand what was going on there.

 

— Well, I didn’t cut his head and see what happened, but I think he is just like a ghoul who doesn’t need the blood of a Child of Kaine to keep living. Immortal but not eternal –said the Macedonian and they all fell silent again, hearing the distant sound of Alexander’s voice cursing.

 

— You have to be very careful, Phai –said Eric, ending with that oppressing atmosphere that had fallen upon them— If someone finds out what you have done, what you were capable to achieve…

 

— I know. We’ll never be safe –answered Hephaistion, thinking about Enki and about all the vampires, werewolves, mages and other supernatural creatures who would kill to know about this. But he would protect Alexander, no matter what, just as he had done when he was alive— This will be our secret –and his friend nodded, vowing in silence to not say a word about this ever again. If someone asked, Alexander was a ghoul, nothing more. 

 

XXX