CHAPTER
14
DAKOTA LAY ON THE couch, thumbing through the manuscript Constance had entrusted her with. It was obvious it spanned thousands of years of culture. Much of the content was transcribed from personal diaries of Gebian women.
“Listen to this,” Dakota said, stopping at one of the entries. “It’s dated almost seven thousand years ago. I didn’t even know there was a written language that old.”
Yemaya looked up from her notes, having returned an hour earlier from her rendezvous with the wolves. She had given Dakota a brief sketch of events but didn’t go into a lot of details. Aware of her lover’s need to come to terms with the loss, Dakota didn’t question her. She suggested they relax in the den and asked Maria to make them warm chocolate.
“If those transcripts are real, it would turn historians on their heads,” Yemaya replied. “I find it curious this is the first time we’ve heard about these people. What does it say?”
“Let’s see. Okay. Here goes.”
* * *
Day 7 Cycle 3 of Queen Pherena’s 13th year
I weep for my children. All of them! The gods have cursed me. I am unable to bear a live child. Carliff swears it makes no difference. He says he will always love me, but I fear his love will fade if our next one dies. Today a friend told me of a secret society of women who can help me. I promised not to reveal their existence to anyone. I do not like deceiving Carliff, but I will do anything to have the child in my belly. Tonight I meet one of these women. She will take me to meet the others. — Eleesa
* * *
“It ends there, but another entry two days later picks up on it.”
Leaning back in her chair, Yemaya listened as Dakota continued reading.
* * *
Day 9 Cycle 3 of Queen Pherena’s 13th year
I am so excited. Constancia gives me hope. She says my child will live if I follow her instructions. She is wise. I do not understand why the secrecy. The lives they could save would ensure the survival of our people. Tomorrow I take the vows and drink the sacred blood. It is a small price for the life of my child. — Eleesa
* * *
“Hmm... There seems to be some pages missing or she didn’t write for a while.”
“Probably the latter. Where does it go from there?”
“About three weeks later. Let’s see.”
* * *
Day 21 Cycle 9 of Queen Pherena’s 13th year
We are doing well. My faith in the society grows each day. I cannot believe it. Soon I will be a mother. I am hoping for a son. Carliff is happy. He has been so good to me. I wish I could tell him about the ceremony. — Eleesa.
* * *
“Does she say what this ceremony is, what she means by the sacred blood?”
“No. At least nothing so far. Wait, here’s something. It’s several years later.” Thumbing through the pages, Dakota frowned. “The first part of the manuscript appears to be copies of personal diaries. Okay, here goes.”
* * *
Day 12 Cycle 9 of Queen Pherena’s 28th year
It is time. My daughter must learn the truth if she is to save her unborn child. I tried to tell her when she carried her first, but she thought me old and witless. Her daughter was born dead. Now my daughter will listen. I will tell her of the ritual and its history. If she agrees to take the sacred oath and drinks the blood, she will save the child growing in her womb. In time, she will pass the truth on to her own daughters. It is not something we are proud of, but it gives us hope. Every life has become precious to our existence. My people are dying. We thought ourselves doomed until the coming of the wise one. She showed us the way. The solution seems so simple now. Why did we not see what was before our very eyes? The cravings. Our savior was the life force flowing within all life— blood. We tried the raw meat of animals, and it helped but was not enough. While carrying the child, we needed more, so we drank the blood of wild beasts, hoping the precious liquid would satisfy our needs. It did not. Ours was the only blood that guaranteed our children’s survival, and we offered our own to protect our unborn... until we discovered the primitives. Their blood fulfilled our needs. Isis has blessed our people. Our children live and thrive. Is that not proof enough? — Eleesa
* * *
“This sounds more like a Stephen King story than a history book,” Dakota said, flipping a few more pages.
“Truth can be that way. Is there any reference to actual dates other than mentioning the reigning queens?”
“Not really. They talk a little about Isis, but that doesn’t help. I wonder if there’s a way to find out when she was supposed to have existed.”
“Well, you are the Internet expert. You tell me.”
“Very funny! Seriously, though, I don’t see where this has anythi— ” Dakota frowned, turning the manuscript into the light to get a better view.
“What?”
“Listen to this! It was written several centuries later.”
* * *
Did we really think we could keep the secret forever? That our men would not notice how we kept our youth and our beauty while they grew old and feeble? Or that one of us would not betray the society for love? Did Ma’at really believe when she told her beloved Anubis of our rituals that he would keep the knowledge to himself and not want his own family and friends to live as long as him? Could anyone be so innocent or trusting as she to betray herself and the society by breaking the vow? Was her love so great she threw away her honor to be with her husband? Who’s to say? And who am I to judge? All these questions and no answers. Alas, the deed is done. Men know the secret of our longevity and choose to partake of the elixir of the primitives to increase their own lives. What once was a sacred act of survival for our people has become a lust for longer lives. Some think we may even achieve immortality now. Who is to say? Constancia believes we will only be long lived... but how long, no one knows. I know of no female Gebian who has died of age or illness since the taking began. We seem immune to sickness. Death only comes at the hands of the gods and they pay little attention to mortals. May Isis forgive us for what we have become.
* * *
“Let me see that!”
Dakota handed Yemaya the manuscript and watched her scan the pages.
“This really does cover thousands and thousands of years,” she said in amazement.
“I know. That’s why I think this is more like folklore. It’s a great story, though, don’t you think?”
“If it is a story. Something about this feels real, though.”
Yemaya read another excerpt.
* * *
Our people are mad and so the elders have ordered new laws to be enacted to bring the sanity back. As the historian of my people, I am to present them to our queen by the next full moon. If she approves, her chosen will enforce these laws and all must obey. It is a great honor and a great burden to be granted this privilege. The primary decree must forbid future killings. Some of our men have succumbed to the bloodlust in the belief it would make them immortal. Our women only take small amounts of the sacred fluid and live equally long lives. I believe it will work the same for males. This must be the primary and most important rule. We must take only enough to sustain our needs. Next, it will be forbidden to disclose our existence to the primitives. Their ability to reason has evolved greatly. Our survival depends on our anonymity. In time, they will fear us and hunt us to extinction. Third, there must be only one historian. She will be the guardian of our history ensuring its purity. Since power and wealth pass from mother to daughter, as ordained by Isis and Geb, the guardian will also be a woman. Once approved by our Queen, Antianna, the 123rd descendent of Isis, these laws will remain forever unchanged.
* * *
Yemaya put the manuscript down and leaned back in her chair.
“Wow! That’s rather intense,” Dakota said. “What do you think?”
“I am not sure yet. There are a lot of details for it to be fiction. It is either a great story or possibly a potential nightmare.”
“Yeah. Makes me want to believe in vampires now.”
“I would not go that far. Nothing could compare to such a horror,” Yemaya warned. “Did Ms. Lorraine say anything in particular about this manuscript?”
“No, she wanted me to read it and return it to her as quickly as possible,” Dakota said. “Did you notice the references to Constancia?”
“Not really, why?”
“Maybe it’s just coincidence, but Ms. Lorraine’s first name is Constance.”
“It is an old and very common name.”
“Maybe. Still... .”
“I am not sure if any of this has to do with what is happening in Teraclia, but it definitely gives us something to think about.” She handed the manuscript back to Dakota.
Before Dakota could reply, Yemaya’s cell phone rang.
“Yemaya here... Good evening, Dr. Lichy... No, I have time to talk... What can I do for you?”
Dakota watched her lover’s face as she listened to the one-sided conversation while she continued to flip through several more pages.
“When did they find him?” Yemaya asked, giving Dakota a strange glance. “I see... The same symptoms? I will come by tomorrow. Perhaps the rest of the tests will be in by then.”
Hanging up the phone, she turned to Dakota. “Another victim has turned up. This time, a young man. Hopefully, Dr. Lichy will have more news by tomorrow.”
“Maybe I can do some more research, too,” Dakota said. “I can’t see how these people, even if they exist, have anything to do with what’s happening here. I must admit, though, I’m anxious to finish reading this. I can accept a few coincidences, but there’s a limit.”
“Did you find something else?”
“Well, this is a little spooky.” Dakota read a small excerpt.
* * *
What has become of our people? The men wander the planet lusting for immortality. The women pretend not to notice. The queen has ordered all to obey the laws as set forth by Isis and Geb or face the wrath of both the gods and her chosen. I pray our people will listen, but I fear many will not. Already Ramus has denounced Inanna and Elil as weaklings, unfit to rule. I believe his hatred for our queen and her chosen has affected his mind. He will need watching for he fears nothing and no one.
* * *
“That’s the name of the man in the elevator.” She looked up at Yemaya. “Do you think he’s related to this guy?”
“I honestly am not sure. It is a possibility. You did say your historian commented on these people being long lived.”
“But that would make him several thousand years old. That isn’t possible.”
“Nothing is impossible, but I agree. Still, I like to keep an open mind. There are fewer surprises that way.”
“I suppose.” Dakota yawned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. Let’s get a few hours of sleep and maybe things will make more sense in the morning?” She laid the manuscript on the table.
Grinning, Yemaya jumped up and reached down to pull Dakota to her feet.
“Great idea! The last one in bed gets a back rub,” she challenged, grinning broadly.
“Oh, like that’s supposed to make me hurry or something?”
“I hope not. It just makes me want to be first.” Yemaya laughed. “Then I get the top.”
“Damn! I didn’t think of that.” Pushing Yemaya backward onto the couch, Dakota dashed to the door, slamming it loudly behind her. Shaking her head, Yemaya grinned to herself.
“Looks like I get the back rub,” she chuckled. “I do so hate to lose,” she added, casually strolling from the room and up the stairs.