Chapter 30: The Armor of God

MARCH 1999

Tayla was gone a full week and as surprisingly as it is to say, I missed her. I continued my reading and Bible study, feeling safe in the library. Activity around the estate had rather died down (no pun intended) for that week. The reason for her absence had piqued my curiosity. What kind of “business” would a vampire have, other than the usual sort? I was always half expecting her to show up unexpectedly, standing behind me and watching me as I studied here in the library. Instincts told me the smart course of action would be to continue the course with what I knew and not to deviate from it. I knew it could give Tayla a death sentence. A death sentence! It was a profound thought with some serious ramifications.

If the demon left her body, the supernatural power that held her to the life on this side of the grave would no longer sustain her. She most certainly would die within minutes, if not seconds. How long would I have to give her the witness of my testimony? Could I give her the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a short time? Would the demon try to interfere with me as I did so? Of course, it would and probably resist very violently! These questions hammered my mind as I struggled to find answers to them. The Bible, though it covers a vast array of subjects, did not cover subject of vampires. However, the subject of demons is in the Bible. It was there that I decided to focus my attention for a solution to the problem.

First, I needed to identify the problem. Was this a case of a reluctant vampire being half-human with a retained soul, who was seeking immortality of the true kind, to live forever in the presence of God Almighty? The Bible teaches us that the true meaning of death ... the death of a soul is to absent from God. I had heard and read it many times. Especially when pastors preach about hell, or at funerals when the question of what happens to the soul after death arises. Nonetheless, it is all there in the Bible if you know where to look. I had been looking for a week, finding some interesting things, which I had not read for a long time.

With my laptop computer, I began to keep meticulous notes of not only what I had found in scriptures, but a chronicled account of this crazy adventure beginning with my collaboration with Lou. My mind kept returning to the conversations we had, sitting in this room, drinking an excellent gourmet coffee, with a roaring fire to take away the chill of the room. The chill was the only manifestation of her vampire nature. She brought the icy chill of death into every room of the mansion she occupied. When she was with me, she was very amicable, and approachable. She had a passion for things most of us take for granted. I really did not think of her as a queen, though the familiars certainly did. They adored her. Of course, for the most part, I had talked with the blonde Tayla, the sensuous, affectionate and expressive personality. However, the tall dark and mysterious Tayla had warmed up to me as well. We, too, had learned to interact in a more informal manner but I could not allow this seductive mistress to tempt me and destroy my purpose for being here. I knew she was going to use every weapon in her arsenal to tempt me. Her pheromones were constantly attacking my defenses. An ardent test of the strength of my character would be that I do not allow myself to do anything that would seem inappropriate.

I continued to sleep during the day and worked at night. I figured when Tayla arrived at the mansion, she would send for me, or just appear unannounced, as she had done before. After all, this was her house. Though we had shared some intense conversation, I was still in awe how she could hold my attention. She occupied almost every waking moment I had.

One night, Mortis informed me, “Master Malcolm, Queen Tayla has asked me to remind you that you should call your wife and let her know that you are safe and not to worry.” As I made the call, I felt that telling Rachel not to worry was futile, as she would do so anyway.

“Rachel, it’s me, honey!” I said emphatically, as soon as she had answered the phone.

“Malcolm, honey where are you? Can you tell me yet? When are you going to come home?” She was full of questions and I had no answers for her.

“Sweetheart, one question at a time. The answer is I don’t know just yet. I am only calling to let you know I’m still safe and for you not to worry. I really don’t know where I’m at and I couldn’t tell you even if I did know. That is for your own protection. Just know that I love you, and the kids, and that I’m doing something important here.”

There was a pause for a moment, and I knew it was her frustration of being “left out of the loop” and she never did like that. Women hate it when their husbands do not tell them things that they want to know so they will not worry. Rachel was no different.

“Malcolm, you’re not involved in anything illegal, are you? I know you wouldn’t do anything stupid like that.”

“Rachel, my love, I can’t believe that you would say something like that. All I can say is you wouldn’t believe me if I could tell you. And no, I’m not involved in any illegal activities.” At least that was true. However, I had been a witness to a murder, and it was killing me that I could not say anything about it. “Honey, I can’t talk about where I am, or what I’m doing so please, no more questions. It’s like before, for yours and the kids’ protection. And Lou’s too. Have you talked to him since we talked last week?” Rachel responded with an emphatic “Yes! It was just yesterday that he called. He wants so much information and I cannot give him anything to go on. I told him that you didn’t want any wiretaps or phone traces. He was very adamant about it, but I insisted that it was your idea. He finally agreed to back off, and wait, just like me. I don’t know who is growing more impatient, he or I? Anyway, there is some other news. Don’t worry the kids are fine, and the station has called several times. Did you want me to tell them that I have heard from you or just play dumb?”

I told her “Just play dumb for right now. What other news? Is everything ok?”

“Well, remember when I told you about how our bank account was skating on a thin ice?”

I had all but forgotten about that. The overwhelming experience and phenomenon had all but made me forget so much of what I had left at home in Miami. Exasperated, I asked, “Great! One more thing to worry about! Ok, give it to me straight. How much are we overdrawn?”

She let out a deep sigh. “This is why I asked you if you were involved in anything illegal. Somewhere, somehow, someone has deposited some money in our bank account! And guess what? It’s a lot of money.”

I sat down, expecting the worst. All sorts of things raced through my mind. I imagined all sorts of bank examiners, IRS people, FBI peering over our banking records. I even pictured my assets seized by the government and I placed in a cell, with interrogators beating up on me, drilling me for answers that I could not give. “Rachel, how much money was deposited in the bank?” Nervously, she answered back with “Fifty thousand dollars!” “Oh my God!” I meant that literally. I was glad that I was sitting down. I was nervous, as now I was beginning to think that the government could be monitoring this call at this moment. No doubt that they would have surveillance on my house and following my family everywhere they went. Other possible scenarios screamed through my mind. “When was this deposit made? I need the exact date and time if possible and ask the bank who made it. Can you do that for me?”

“I’m already one step ahead of you. When Lou called the other day, I confided in him about the money. He has agreed to keep this all quiet and just between us. He’s working on trying to trace the money. I think he’ll have some answers soon, but he said it would take some time as he is trying to go at this so as not to arouse suspicion from his boss. He says they’re watching him like a hawk. Everyone knows that you both went down there, only he returned, and he returned wounded! Who is this girl, Rosalva?

Lou won’t tell me about her, but he’s mentioned her. He gets real upset about her. What is going on about that?”

More questions and again I could not answer. If I were to tell her anything, I would put her in danger. I decided to cut this short.

“Rachel, as I have said before, I love you, and would never hurt you. That’s why I can’t tell you everything now. Later, when this is all over, you can pick my brains till the cows come home; but now, I can’t put you in danger by telling you things I’m not allowed to tell you. Tell the kids I love them and tell Lou to back off the investigation of the money trail. I think I know where it came from. I will deal with it as soon as possible. I must cut this call short for now, even though I would love to talk with you all night long. Darling, I need to go. I love you!”