Rakum (RAH′-kum) – a.k.a Wraith, from Heb. raca; “vain thing.” Def: From Semitic mythology; a race of
vampire-like beings thought to be descended from fallen angels.
THE CHARACTERS:
Isaac Akaron, the newly arrived boy-leader
of the Rakum, more powerful than the Ten Fathers and as ruthless as their spirit-master,
Ta’avah, whose violence and lust for power had no limit.
Beryl, had once been a respected Captain
among the Rakum, but under Isaac, everyone is reduced to nothing.
THE SCENE:
Isaac had been kept underground fifty years as a young Rakum. Now he is free, and Beryl's job is to show him the ropes, specifically, how to abduct the children Elder Canaan needs to grow stronger...
THE
NOVEL: Rabbit Redemption by Ellen C Maze, a unique and provocative twist on the
vampire legend.
Ch.15
Pearl, MS
November 9th,
8 p.m.
merald
High School’s Ray Rogers Stadium was packed with people of all ages coming,
going, and cheering on all sides. Isaac and Beryl walked through the throng,
heading for the darker far end. The Mississippi winter had finally rolled in
and Isaac clutched his jacket collar. He flipped up the hood and glared at his
companion who ignored the icy wind that lashed his face and neck. Beryl had a
lot more experience being uncomfortable.
“I hate this weather!” Isaac barked and stepped lively to
keep up with Beryl’s long stride. “Slow down, you walk too fast.”
Beryl slowed his pace. “Big
brothers hate little brothers, Master. If you struggle to keep up, it’ll be
more believable.”
Isaac frowned, but did as suggested. Beryl was infinitely
more adept at hunting mortals and it was wise to bow to his skill. He had hoped
that by sharing the guy’s memories he’d also adopt his abilities. As it turned
out, not so much. No big deal, Beryl would teach him. He might not always have
servants at his command. Life was unpredictable; Isaac learned this the day the
Rabbit Beth Rider destroyed everything he knew.
“There,” Beryl said telepathically and stopped
short. Isaac followed his line of sight and at the end of the crowded
bleachers, three giggling pre-teens jogged into the dark shadows of the
adjacent school building. “I’m going to
creep up and listen to them and gauge their weaknesses…”
“Good. And hurry, I’m freezing,” Isaac replied silently. Beryl shot him
an irritated glance that instantly softened; the guy was learning. Isaac was young
and inexperienced, but he was the only one sufficiently empowered to run the
Rakum race. Even after Last Assembly, he disappeared with Father Damien who
spent every waking moment teaching him the skills he would need to take over leadership
of the flailing brotherhood. Isaac smiled at nothing; he was definitely up to
the challenge.
“Listen,” Beryl whispered and Isaac concentrated on the
three youths speaking a dozen yards away in the shadows.
“…I spent it yesterday at Target. What
about you? Your mom gives you money for the game, right?”
“I had to give it to my stupid sister.
She made me promise to pay her back today and I was afraid to not do it. Last
time I owed her money and didn’t pay on time, my daddy tanned my hide.”
“Well, I have three bucks. Wanna see if
Gregory has any money? He usually does.”
“No, he stinks—I mean, he literally
smells. Let’s go ask your mom. She’s in the stands, right?”
“She won’t give me any more money. Dad
lost his job and she’s all depressed.”
The trio started walking again, heading away, deep in
conversation. Beryl pulled two twenties from his wallet and handed them to
Isaac.
“These kids look about twelve. They’ll
spook at me because I’m older.”
“Just tell me what to do,” Isaac sent back, keeping an eye on the
kids as they sauntered away. Beryl filled him in on the plan, assuring him it
worked many times for him in the past. Isaac nodded when he was ready and Beryl
headed back to the car. Plan initiated, Isaac proceeded toward the kids.
When he was a good twenty feet behind them, the one in the middle,
an Asian girl with long straight hair took her hands out of her jacket pockets
to playfully slap one of her friends. Isaac saw his chance.
“Hey, guys,” he called and jogged up behind them. “Hey, I
think you dropped this.”
All three turned at the sound of his voice and none of them
seemed alarmed. The girl’s eyes widened at the sight of the two bills and she
took furtive glances at her friends.
“What?” the boy on her right asked. He was the tallest of
the three, but no taller than Isaac.
Isaac held the money out toward the girl. “Just now, when
you took your hands out of your coat, this fell down from your pocket.”
“Oh, yeah,” the girl said and stepped closer to grasp the
money. “My mom puts money in my coat all the time. I forgot.” She caught her
friends’ eyes and they grinned.
Isaac put on a friendly smile and hoped it would get him an
invitation to join them. The two boys didn’t like him right off, but it had everything
to do with his wholesome appearance, not that he wasn’t human. The girl favored
him a lot and she gave him a dimpled smile.
“Do you go to Jones High?” she asked, gesturing to the
visitors’ side of the stadium. Isaac nodded. “I’m Minji, and this is Fred and
Hank.”
“Hey,” he replied. “So, are you guys heading to the front of
the school? My brother said there’s a fight going on there. S’posed to be
pretty cool.”
“Oh, yeah?” Hank asked, looking behind him. “I’d like to see
that.”
“Yeah, some kid named Gregory is getting his butt whooped,”
Isaac said and started walking. “I’m on my way to see it myself.”
“Stinky Gregory’s done messed up now!” Fred said and joined
Isaac. The other two fell in, laughing and making jokes about their wayward
classmate.
By the time they reached the school’s quiet front yard,
Beryl had parked the car and was leaning against the hood. The lot was
surprisingly dark and the kids would only see his silhouette until they were
closer.
Isaac touched Fred’s shoulder and pointed to Beryl. “There’s
my brother. Let’s ask him what happened.”
The gullible kids scampered alongside Isaac, completely
fearless. When they reached the BMW, Beryl gave them a bored look.
“What happened? Is the fight over?” Isaac asked him.
“Where’d they go? I can’t believe we missed it!” Hank said.
“How’d they disappear so fast?” Minji asked.
Isaac waited for Beryl’s signal and he opened the back door
of the car. Taking one last look around the deserted schoolyard, Isaac and
Beryl simultaneously rushed the youngsters and shoved them into the waiting
car. Before they could begin to yell for real, both he and Beryl were loaded
and the doors closed. Beryl peeled away from the school and joined the traffic
leaving the stadium while Isaac silenced the kids with a powerful suggestion.
“Be quiet and I won’t kill you,” he sent the three kids telepathically.
Years of watching television and horror movies hadn’t desensitized the children
to a real threat as they shivered and fell silent. Isaac relaxed in his seat in
the front and caught Beryl’s eye.
“Good job,” Beryl sent silently.
“Great job, you mean,” Isaac replied.
Beryl nodded. “Canaan
will enjoy this gift.”
Isaac nodded, smiling ear-to-ear and looked out his window.
It was in his best interest to keep Canaan healthy. The only Rakum left more
powerful than Canaan was one he wanted to drink from next—Theophilus. Then he’d
explore powers he’d only dreamed of. Damien said he’d be able to transport
himself great distances, disappear from human view, that he would even be able
to fly if he continued on his current
path. Flying. That would be sweet.
See the novel and the entire series on the website, purchase as a discount: www.ellencmaze.com
