The Stars Lie {Myrnin, Morganville Vampires}

I See Fire

Chapter 24—I See Fire

Claire

Claire jerked back as the click of the door engaged. Her heartbeat hammered as she pressed her body against the farthest wall, trying to make herself invisible and held her breath. For a moment, she was terrified Anwyn had found her; until she saw a flash and Myrnin entered, closing it behind him, sealing out the light. Before she could even release the breath she was holding, she felt him lift her impossibly gently in the darkness, and carry her down the stairs, questioning her pointedly, "Are you a witch?"

"No. Just a mere mortal," she whispered, overcome with relief and joy at his safety.

Myrnin's feet silently touched down on the last stair, and he glided across the small landing. Claire assumed he was heading toward the door. Fear began to beat a rhythm, through her consciousness again, as she braced herself to leave this safe space of blackness. Her expectation of the door opening was not met. Instead, Myrnin shifted her body to cradle her with one arm, freeing his other to reach out and manipulate another locking device. Claire heard the discernable click and scrape, as an alternate passageway opened, one she must not have noticed before. The direction of the sound came from the floor, and he kept his swift pace as they went deep into the ground.

"But how did you know all of those things? And how did you kill all of those vampires? I know there was not another vampire present.  I would have smelled their scent."

Claire wrapped her arms tighter around his chest, seeking to comfort him, in preparation for her impossible tale. "Because I know you.  Remember when I asked you what year it was?"

Claire heard his sharp intake of breath, as he enunciated quickly, "The future?"

"Yes."

"But how? How did you get here?" He shook his head in denial of her words. "And that still does not account for the mass vampire slayings. How did you accomplish that? Is the world so changed in the future, that vampires can be killed without even being in their presence?"

"I think you know," she waited for him to put the pieces together.

"You mean, I'm—the future me—is here with you?" he whispered in the dark.

"Yes. That is why, neither you nor Anwyn, recognized a different scent."

He hesitated and then spoke slowly as comprehension swept through him, "Hotel Elysium."

Claire reached up to touch his cheek. "Yes."

"I should have liked, to have been there...for that," he spoke wistfully, causing Claire's heart to break. This Myrnin would have to wait a very long time. Claire was lost for words, only communicating with her fingertips brushing along his face.

Myrnin fell into silent contemplation as they continued to travel. Claire rested her head against his shoulder, calmed by the steady pace of his gait. As she focused on relaxing her body, Claire began to feel a growing burn and ache, build inside her muscles. Her adrenaline riddled system had kept the pain of her earlier struggles at bay, until now. She whimpered softly.

Myrnin grounded to a halt.  Worry etched his tone as he bent his head to hers. "Are you okay?"

Even though she couldn't see him in the dark, Claire knew his exact expression as he spoke.

She whispered back, trying not to move any part of her, except her mouth, "Yes. My body is beginning to complain—loudly—to the pain receptor nerve endings in my brain. I'm okay. We have to keep going."

He continued even more gently than before, his gait so completely smooth, Claire could no longer discern his footsteps.

Turn after turn, Myrnin changed course effortlessly without slowing down.