Chapter 50: Details and Contingencies

May 1999

Tayla and Rachel talked for the rest of the ride home. She listened intently as Tayla brought her up to date on vampire etiquette. Occasionally, Tayla would look over to me and I, as if on cue, would explain to Rachel a possible scriptural explanation for a weakness or power. Otherwise, I stayed silent. Rachel still had some doubts about all of this. Tayla readily demonstrated her ability to read her thoughts playing the old “pick a number” game. Tayla won ten out of ten rounds. Rachel was only starting to understand the woman to whom she was talking. It was important that she understand about vampire etiquette because it would enable her to understand them.

When I saw Rachel shaking her head in disbelief, I knew it was time to come to her rescue. “Honey, if there is one thing you need to understand, it is this. The woman you are talking to is the human half of a vampire queen. You only need to fear the vampire half, the demonic personality you’ve not met yet. The hedge of protection you asked God to put around me, keeps the demon bound when Tayla is near me. That’s what enables us to be able to converse with her as a person, and not as a vampire. The angels protect us while Tayla tries on her own will to suppress the demon. Sometimes she is successful, sometimes not. I suppose that is the price of our human frailty.”

Tayla smiled. “I am so glad you think so highly of me. I do try so hard to be good. However, it does not make up for all the blood that I have taken over eight centuries. I have fought this demon, but the demon is so strong. It is stronger than anything I have seen until I met your angels.” A sad tone prevailed in her voice. She continued talking, turning to my wife. “Rachel, I know you haven’t met them, but it was your prayer that brought them to surround Malcolm. They are in this car right now. I can sense their presence and I have no doubt that they will make their presence known to you.”

Rachel was speechless. I had no doubt that she felt left out of the loop when it came to the subject of the angels. “I wish I could meet them, really!” she whispered.

She was still pondering the reality of vampirism, when the subject of angels came up. It was easy to talk about things of the supernatural, as most of us have had conversations dealing with that subject. Then, it was another thing to experience an actual supernatural phenomenon, whether it was a vampire or an angel. I had dealt with demons before, but never in this form, nor on this level of power. This was powerful stuff.

Tayla and Rachel continued with getting to know each other for the rest of the way home. I sat and thought about the upcoming battle between red and black. As I did, Tayla continued to glance at me, for I knew she heard every thought. I thought about how our plan would exploit all the weaknesses of vampires. If the plan were to include Rachel, I had to be extremely careful with whatever role she would play, unless Tayla had already decided that. If that were the case, then it was out of my hands.

I pondered their weaknesses. There was sunlight, silver, bodies of water, and the never- failing Word of God. The ability to read your thoughts, to move at great speeds, and agility were some of their strengths. These were only a few. However, they were the basis for what I would eventually come up with to use in Tayla’s plan of action. The information derived from our talks gave me what I needed to employ these as weapons. With weapons, I could implement tactics by which to use them. This would require practice, which would require time. Time was a commodity that was going to be in short supply. Tayla continued to glance over to me as my brain shifted into another gear. I knew she was listening to my thoughts, as she would smile at me, with a subtle nod of approval. Sometimes Rachel would look at me, knowing me as she does, as if she too knew what I was thinking.

We would need to harness the element of sunlight. It was easy to put ultraviolet light to a portable state, thanks to modern technology. I would need lanterns with UV bulbs, and to have them pre-positioned in places to be of the best possible use. How would I get them down to the Lower Estate without the other vampires knowing about them? There was the dilemma. To position my weapons and my defenses in places down below without the knowledge of the members of the Red Clan would prove a most arduous task. I would need to consult Tayla for assistance regarding the matter of logistical support.

I would have to plan my route very carefully. Perhaps a map with written instructions would be in order. My mind was racing to remember the routes taken while on tour of the Lower Estate. If Rachel were to be in on this near impossible task, how would she find her way, if we separated? I shuddered to think of my beloved in the dark alone, wandering through all the corridors of stone. If that should ever happen, how would I find her?

As I thought of all the possible things that could go wrong, I felt the limousine turn into the drive of the estate. Time had slipped by while I focused on planning this mission. We drove up to the front door, came to a stop, and waited for Talon to open the car door.

There were several vampires of the Red Velvet Clan, standing outside the front door. Like sentinels, ever vigilant, they guarded their Queen’s castle. They opened the door for us. Once inside the foyer, Tayla turned to me, saying, “I have a short time available to confer with you and your plans. Let’s go to the library, shall we?”