Near the end, the flow begins to slow.
Especially on the diamond side. The pearls take over.
The left side looks like it’s going to win.
Then a handful of extra large diamonds appear.
The Scale wobbles back and forth, up and down. More than half the pearls and diamonds, half my life, lie spread over the black table. There’s no room on the plates to measure all that I have done or failed to do. It’s not fair but I realize this isn’t a place where you get to argue your case.
At some point, I’m not exactly sure when, the invisible grip releases my hands and my arms fall to my sides and I finally close my eyes. But I feel my fingers touch the Scale plates as they drown in the piles of black pearls and diamonds. My heartbeat has finally returned, I feel that too, I feel it breaking. Especially as the red and white Caretakers begin to whisper to each other. Yet eventually even they stop.
The room falls dead silent.
Please, Krishna.
A screeching wail suddenly fills the room.
I open my eyes and see the left plate is lower.
The black pearls have won.
The tall red-hooded Caretaker grabs my left arm.
I try to shake him off and fail. He is very strong.
“I know what bloody door I have to take,” I snap.
He speaks in a voice I know. A voice I heard in a crummy motel in London just before I skinned an innocent woman and ate her alive. The voice is soft-spoken but firm; it carries the weight of authority and I have no reason to doubt what he says.
Yet he doesn’t raise his hood, and I cannot see his face.
“You have been judged and there is no escape from that judgment. You are damned. A word from me and you will be taken through the red door, where there is only fire and pain. There you will burn. But not like you burned on earth. In the world of the living you were a vampire. There you would heal quickly. But in the world of fire, there is no relief. There is only agony.”
I cower. I want to tell him to forget his silly speech and get on with it but I feel as long as he’s talking, I’m not suffering. In that moment, even an instant without pain feels like a blessing. So I listen, I listen closely, for he appears to be implying that he has the power to change my fate, or at least postpone it for a time.
I bow my head respectfully. “I am listening,” I say.
He comes near so that only I can hear, and his words seem to cast shadows over my thoughts. This speech of his is not new. I suddenly realize it is very old, and I know before he says it that he is going to offer me a deal.
“I have the power to give you a respite from your judgment,” he says.
“How long a respite?”
“Does it matter? Say no to me now and you will burn.”
I swallow thickly. “What do you want?”
“Kill the Light Bearer.”
“Who is the Light Bearer?”
“You will know her when you meet her.” He pauses. “She is wise.”
“How am I to kill her? I’m dead.”
“You will be sent back. I will send you.”
“Why don’t you kill her yourself?”
“Enough!” he shouts. “I have already spent more time with you than you’re worth. Do as I command or your torment will begin. Decide now.”
I can’t just murder this Light Bearer. That’s not who I am. Also, she sounds like someone the world needs. Like another John.
But I can’t allow this monster to put me in the fire.
After suffering such agony, I’d never be myself again.
From the shadow of his hood, his eyes bear down on me. Once more, my spirit cowers. My fear is too great. I choose without really choosing.
He has hold of my left arm so I offer him my right hand.
“Deal,” I say.
TWENTY-FIVE
Suddenly, I’m back in the room in Malibu. Umara has opened her eyes and is studying me. The others sit with their eyes closed, deep in a trance state. I sense they are still in Egypt, in the temple.
“What happened?” she asks.
“How long have I been gone?” I’m not afraid that Brutran and her cronies are spying on us. Matt has taken charge of security. For his sake, though, I hope he’s not recording this conversation.
“A few seconds. But something’s changed. Sita?”
“I remembered what happened when I died.”
“Good,” Umara says.
I feel like a child, no different from the children around me. Lowering my head, I barely hold back the tears. “It isn’t good. My life, my whole life, has been nothing but a sham.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
“I went before the Scale and was judged.”
“And?”
“You know what it is?”
“Yes. What happened?” Umara asks.
“I failed.”
Umara puts a hand to her lip. “Oh my.”
“Don’t act surprised. You knew something terrible would happen when you forced me to recall my death.”
Umara considers. “I knew the answer to our problem with the Telar was stored in the memory of your death experience. And since you had blocked out the experience, I feared it would be traumatic.”
“It was traumatic all right. It’s not every day you discover you’re going to hell.”
“You saw a portion of the truth. That’s all.”
“How do you know about the Scale? You’ve never died.”
“What comes before or after has no meaning in that place.”
I’m shocked. “That woman I kept running into. That was you.”
Umara hesitates. “It’s possible it will be me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Whether our brains are Telar, human, or vampire, they all struggle when it comes to dealing with time paradoxes. The visions you were shown are mysterious. That’s why I warn you against jumping to any conclusions.”
“Umara, I appreciate the pep talk but when I stood before the Scale, the results were clear cut. My virtues and vices were weighed and I was found wanting. I’m damned.”
“Did you actually enter the inferno region?”
“I got scared and made a quick deal.” I stop and sigh. “I know I’m only postponing the inevitable.”
“Who offered you this deal?”
“I suspect it was the Familiar who haunts me now. But I suppose we should be grateful to him. What you sensed was true. I was given the key to destroying the Telar.”
“What is it?”
“You mean who is it?” I pause. “You.”
Umara is silent a long time. “I suspected,” she whispers.
“I should have guessed the truth when you explained how the Telar became immortal. When you tapped into that high spiritual plane and that white light descended, it transformed all the Telar. You said it yourself, that is what made your people immortal. That light was brought to earth during that first Link, and as far as I can tell you’re the only surviving member of that group. True?”
“Yes.”
“You anchor that light to this world. When I was in the underworld, it became clear to me that if the Light Bearer was killed, the Telar would become vulnerable.”
Umara frowns. “How can I be the Light Bearer?”
I look at my dear friend. How much I wish she could embrace me and allow her magical white light to flow into my heart and make me immortal like the angels in heaven. Yet to keep the demon at bay for the time being—for however long he’ll let me walk the earth—I have to hold her in my arms and break her neck.
“The demon is a liar. He tried to confuse me by casting you in his place. Yet he knows you carry the light that protects the Telar.” I pause. “So in a sense he told me a great truth.”
Umara nods. “If it has to be done, then do it. Make it quick.”
“You misunderstand me. I’m not going to kill you. Get out
of here while you can. I’ll return to the kids. They’re waiting for their leader. The final battle with Haru and the Source still has to be fought.”
Umara smiles at me and shakes her head and I know that she has no intention of leaving.
“Thousands of years ago,” she says, “when I was part of the original Link, and we were able to explore higher dimensions, it was said that even the Lord’s most powerful archangels feared to double-cross Tarana.”
“Are you saying that’s the Familiar I met?”
“I fear it is. You can’t make a deal with him and then ignore it. You can’t imagine the horror of the revenge he will take. Besides, the Telar must be destroyed. Be strong, Sita, kill me.”
“I’m not strong!” I say bitterly. “If I wasn’t damned before I died, I am now. You’re my friend. I haven’t known you long but I feel in time we could have become close friends. Yet when the Scale pronounced my doom and I came face to face with the demon, and he threatened me with the fire, I immediately turned on you. I’m a coward. I gave you up.”
“I’m sure you did what you had to do.”
I snort at the irony in her words. “Where I’m going, that’s probably their favorite excuse.”
Umara takes my hand. “What exactly did Tarana ask for?”
“Your head on a platter.”
“Like John the Baptist?”
“Yes.”
Umara strokes my palm. “I was there in those days, in Jerusalem. I saw what happened. I admired John. When Herod took him captive, all the king demanded was that John renounce Christ. And Herod said he would let him go. Herod meant it, too, he didn’t want to make John into a martyr. He knew it would just stir up his kingdom. But John refused his offer.”
“He was a braver soul than me.”
“No, Sita. Did Tarana ask you to renounce Krishna?”
“No.”
“He didn’t ask because he knew you would refuse.”
“I called to Krishna when I stepped in front of Matt’s laser rifle. As the blast tore through my chest, I focused on Krishna and nothing else. But when I died, I was forced to wander lost in the dark underworld. And when I was finally judged, I failed. The Lord’s name proved useless in the end.”
“The knowledge of his name helped you cross the river.”
I snicker. “What good did that do me? Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said since we opened our eyes?”
“You’re alive now. Where there’s life, there’s hope.”
I take back my hand and gesture to the silent kids, the ones on our floor and the larger group below. “These children are my final testament. Those who survive our attack on the Telar will exit the session and discover they have blisters. They’ll scratch them but the itch won’t go away. Soon the blisters will cover their bodies and ooze a black fluid. Then the real fun will begin. They’ll start vomiting and have convulsions. They’ll die in agony.” I pause. “You can see why I don’t think my karma’s going to improve in the short time I have left.”
“You can still give them the vaccine.”
“If I do that, I’d be like Hercules walking away from the Hydra and saying maybe I should kill the monster some other day.”
“Don’t be Hercules. Be Iolaus.”
“You are Iolaus!” I snap. “At least when it comes to Haru and the other Telar waiting in Egypt. But only if you’re dead. Only if you let me snap your neck. Otherwise, we’ll never kill Haru and his partners. It’s not Hatram that protects them. It’s you.”
She nods. “I know. It’s why I’ve come here.”
I shouldn’t be stunned and yet I am. “To sacrifice your life?”
“To follow in John the Baptist’s footsteps. When they brought Herod his head, on a silver platter, I knew that one day that would be my destiny.”
I shake my head. “I told you, I have no intention of fulfilling the deal I made with Tarana.”
“Then he’ll come back for you.”
“He’s going to do that anyway.”
“Sita, you’re not listening to me.”
“I’m not killing you. Forget it. If you want to die, jump off a bridge.”
“There’s isn’t a bridge or building tall enough to kill me.”
“Then buy an axe and pay a guy on skid row a thousand bucks to chop off your head. Just don’t ask me to do it.”
“My death will delay Tarana’s revenge on you.”
“I don’t care about pleasing Tarana! I want to please Krishna! I want him to save me!” I stop and press my hand to my aching head. “Why didn’t he save me when it mattered?”
“I don’t know. But kill me and you’ll destroy the Source, and perhaps the Cradle, and you’ll have time to find out.”
I stare at my stained palms and then at Umara’s kind face.
“What about Matt? First I kill his girlfriend and then his mother. Excuse me but I think I’ve exhausted my forgiveness quota with him.”
“I told Matt on the way here that this was my last day.”
“He would never have accepted that.”
“He did. I told him he had to accept it.”
“How?”
She rubs my shoulder. “Would it help if I told you I’m ready to die? That my life’s gone on too long.” She pauses. “That I’m lonely without Yaksha.”
I briefly close my eyes. “I miss him, too.”
“Send me to him. That’s the greatest gift you can give me. And when you’ve learned all you need to know, find a way to follow me home.”
I reach over and caress her neck. “You’re a brave woman. I can see why Yaksha loved you.”
She presses my hand to her neck. “Your face was the last face he saw. Your face is the last I’ll see. So our destinies are entwined. Don’t lose faith, Sita. Krishna hasn’t forgotten you.”
I want to thank her for her kind words but don’t know how.
I break her neck, instead. She dies instantly.
In the blink of an eye I’m back in the underground chamber in Egypt, hovering above Haru and the remaining members of the Source. The power of the Cradle continues to wait to attack. The kids don’t even know that I’ve been gone. For them nothing has changed, although with Umara gone our power has diminished.
I feel her loss, even if I’m not allowed to mourn it.
I struggle to focus on the task at hand.
“Stand back while I speak to their head Familiar,” I instruct the Cradle. The children acknowledge the order with a mental nod.
Carefully, I detach from the group and float down toward the Telar’s Link. Not far above the bolts of flame and Hatram’s massive head, I halt. I notice him watching me and bow in his direction.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hatram,” I say by way of telepathy. “I have heard of you and your many extraordinary exploits.”
He studies me. “Why have you come?”
I have no choice, I have to play it by ear and act like I know more than I do. Since I’m conversing with a demon, it feels only natural that I should lie.
“To set you free of the tedious task of guarding these boring mortals. I have just met with Tarana and he and I have reached an agreement. He asked me to dispatch the Telar who preserved the lives of this miserable group and I have done so. In return he said you would help my people.”
Hatram is not impressed. “Your group is made up of children.”
“These children are under the direct protection of Tarana.”
“He has never said this to me.”
“He keeps his own counsel. Surely you must know of Umara.”
He raises his head. “Of course.”
“She’s the sacrifice I offered Tarana for your help.”
Hatram is stunned. “Umara is dead?”
“Yes. Note how the light that surrounds this group has faded.”
Hatram studies the mortals who sit around the stone table.
“It is true,” he says.
“You have a keen eye.”
“Umara was o
ld and powerful. How were you able to destroy her?”
“First I gained her trust. Then I betrayed her.”
Hatram nods. “She did the same to me, long ago.”
“She got the punishment she deserved. Now I would appreciate a small favor in return. Remove your mighty flames and let my children feast on their prey.”
“What is your name?”
“Sita. Some call me the Last Vampire.”
“I have heard of you.”
“You flatter me,” I say.
“I have heard you’re not to be trusted.”
“If you are reluctant to help me, I understand. Perhaps you feel the need to consult with Tarana. But I was told to deliver this message to you and I have done so. If you wish to disturb him further, that is up to you.”
Hatram considers. He obviously fears Tarana. I find that interesting. I’m still trying to ascertain how high Tarana’s position is in the hierarchy of demons. It’s not like the creatures wear badges or stripes.
“I wish I could have been present at Umara’s execution,” he says.
“I assure you it was both bloody and painful.”
“You handled it yourself?”
“Yes,” I say.
“If I drop my protective flames, what will you do to the Source?”
“I would be flattered if you would stay and watch. I think you would find our attack . . . creative.”
Hatram flashes a hungry grin. “You are sly, Sita. I’m glad to see that aspect of your reputation has not been exaggerated.”
“Thank you.”
“What help can I offer?”
“The Cradle and I are invisible to Haru and his partners. They can feel us but they’re confident we can’t pierce their Link. They have grown cocky after being in control for so many years. With your help, I’d like to burst their pride. I want to appear before them as if I’m physically present in this chamber. Can you make this happen?”
Hatram looks aroused. “I know a secret magical working that can make that possible.”