Mr. Kline turned from me and walked around his desk to a globe of the world I hadn’t noticed, and pressed a hidden button near the continent of Africa. With an audible click, the ceramic sphere opened up slowly, splitting in half. Kline reached inside and reverently lifted out a box. He gazed at it for a moment, then, with a flick of his wrist and a deep snarl, tossed it to me. I caught it easily and examined it. Releasing the latch, I opened the box up and dumped an egg-sized ruby into my palm. My friends came over and looked at it with me. It seemed to be a perfect gemstone, for all I knew about precious stones. It sat comfortably, if not slightly warm in my hand. The light from the room reflected off hundreds of facets, showering the five of us in small red rays of shimmering light.
“Bet that’s expensive!” said Toby.
“Tobs, sometimes...” Carla winced.
“What! He’s holding a fleet of Porsches, or maybe a yacht with its own helipad,” Toby said, squeezing Carla.
“Oh brother,” sighed Carla halfheartedly trying to get away.
“Its worth is immeasurable of course,” said Mr. Kline turning away from us and leaning against the carved mantel. “I paid the equivalent of half of my fortune for it, though it has been worth much more for the peace it has brought my daughter and I. When it leaves this house, the council will start its assault on me. Bri, you won’t be safe here.”
“They will know?” she asked.
“As soon as the Immortal touched it, all who could be imprisoned by the stone knew I no longer controlled it,” he said. “They know an Immortal has it now.”
He took out a cell phone and pressed a couple of buttons. Almost immediately, the door to the room opened and the butler came in followed by a man dressed in an old-fashion styled robe with the hood pulled low hiding his face.
“It has begun Geeves. Set our resources into motion and prepare the house,” Mr. Kline ordered staring into the ashes in the fireplace.
“It will be done,” the butler replied, bowing low and hurrying from the room.
“Robert.”
“Yes master,” said the hooded man.
His voice sounded familiar to me.
“You will escort my daughter and these young people through the gate to Lord Memron’s estate. I’ll give you a letter for him, make sure he receives it and agrees, then return here. Do this and I will finish your making.”
The man drew back his hood.
“Coach McNally!” I almost shouted, stepping away from my High School Football coach. I heard Toby, Carla and Ivy groan.
“It shall be as you command Master,” he said grinning wickedly at Toby and me.
I thought it couldn’t get any worse? I was wrong.
Mr.Kline told Brianna to take us to the kitchen to get something to eat and made arrangements with her to meet us in the observatory at four o’clock. Just like that, we were dismissed. Mr. Kline and Coach McNally stayed behind to talk over something as we left the room.
I walked through hallways and rooms in shock. I had been so relieved to be free of Coach McNally, and, just like that, he was back in my life. It didn’t seem fair.
Somehow we ended up in an enormous kitchen filled with staff scurrying around preparing a meal. The smells were overwhelming. I found myself ravenously hungry. We made our way through the congested kitchen to a thick, ten-foot long, wooden cutting board that doubled as a table for the staff.
I sat down and handed the stone to Ivy.
“Why…” she began.
“You know more about any of this stuff than the rest of us Ivy. I’ll probably just throw it at the wrong thing or lose it,” I interrupted.
“No time for an interception or fumble dude,” Toby said. “I have a feeling that would be bad.”
“Wow Toby,” said Carla said straight-faced. “Astonishing call!”
Toby just smiled, ignoring her. “Hey Ivy, why did he keep calling you ‘magi’? Can you do magic or something?”
“No, at least not yet.” She was about to say something, but thought better of it. Toby let it slide.
“What the hell is Coach doing here?” he continued, as servants started setting food out on the table.
“That evil bastard!” grunted Carla, reaching for a plate of scalloped potatoes.
“He’s in thrall,” offered Brianna non-pulsed.
“He’s what?” I asked. Seeing coach there had almost caused me to lose control of my bladder. What was that sadistic bastard up to?
“He’s been partially turned,” Brianna answered. “A full vampire is made in steps. Most are never turned fully, because they regain their own allegiances. While they remain a thrall, they must do the bidding of their maker. After years of service, and observation, a master vampire may grant the final kiss to one worthy to be set free.”
“How many years of service?” Toby asked.
“Well, like I said, most are never fully made. The longer they are under thrall without receiving the kiss, the less likely they will ever be turned.”
“How long has McNutty been a thrall?” Toby asked.
“More than fifty years, I think.” Brianna shrugged. “He’s going to get the kiss now though, I guess.”
“Holy crap!” Toby groaned.
“Wait!” said Carla, “How is a vampire turned without breaking this covenant you talked about?”
“If a person willingly submits to being fed upon, the covenant doesn’t apply as long as they aren’t completely drained,” shrugged Brianna.
“Damn!” I said putting my head in my hands.
Coach McNally an immortal vampire? I couldn’t even begin to imagine how bad that would probably be. I realized at that moment that my football playing days were over. I hadn’t even been able to tell mom and dad about the offer from UCLA. I shook my head; it would have been fun to play division one football. Oh well.
“So much for playing football for Fairview High,” Toby said, helping himself to several slices of prime rib, obviously following the same train of thought.
“Yeah,” I agreed.