Chp 15
~Chapter 15~
AJ only slept for a couple of hours. The thing about Valencia leaving really bothered him. He knew he couldn't leave Denise again and he also knew Valencia couldn't stay. Her place was in Romania with the rest of the Desmondontidae. He was being selfish. He finally realized that. He would talk to her when she got up. AJ glanced over at the big grandfather clock they had in the living room. It was 8 in the morning. It was really dark in the house. Looks like the bags over the windows really worked. Denise would be leaving for work soon, so AJ decided to get up and greet her before she left. He could hear the clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen as his mom put everything away.
"Hey, Mom," he said as he walked into the kitchen.
"What are you doing up so early?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"Oh. Ok, well, I have to leave like now. There's some food in the fridge if you want to eat something."
"No thanks. Food has no nutritional value to me."
"Right. Umm, you don't need anything, do you?"
"Nope. I'm all set. Aren't you tired? You were up all night."
"A little, but I'll live. Good bye."
She went near him to kiss him good bye, but AJ backed away with his hands in front of his face in a protective manner.
"What's wrong?!"
"You're wearing your cross!"
Denise looked down and indeed she was. She took it off and put it in her pocket.
"Sorry. I forgot about that."
She stepped closer to him and this time completed her mission.
"Good bye, hon."
"Bye."
She hurried out the door and AJ jumped out of the way before the light hit him.
"Sorry again!" Denise called from outside as she entered the car.
AJ just laughed to himself. This was going to take some getting used to by both sides. He decided to watch some TV, which he hadn't in who knows how long. He flipped through the channels disappointed that there was nothing to hold his interest.
"Talk show, talk show, Reading Rainbow, Teletubbies, Barney, talk show, news, news, and looky here, more news."
He just kept changing the programming until a news report caught his eye.
"Last night, some men working the sewers came across what appears to be a secret hideaway of some sort, right under City Hall. There were ancient writings on the wall and dead rats scattered around. The experts believe that the writing is seventeenth century Romanian. There was also blood splattered on the walls and on the floor. The room had lighted candles surrounding it, which probably served as the light source, since no sunlight reaches down there. An ancient book, the title roughly translated to Demon King was found. It's about the life of a so called vampire named Kehjaikin who ruled the world at one time or another. This place certainly seemed to be inhabited, many believe by a vampire-worshipping cult. The authorites are investigating this strange lair as we speak and hope to find some answers soon. On a lighter note, Mrs. Heidi Thompson will be celebrating her one-hundred and third birthday today---"
AJ turned of the television and rushed up the stairs. He didn't want to wake her up, but this was really important. He knocked on her door.
"Come in."
AJ slowly stepped in. Valencia was wide awake with the lamp on, reading on her bed.
"Alex."
"Yeah, um, I've found out some really hot info that I think will help you a lot with the Daemoniacus thing. It was on the news. Some people found this lair under City Hall. It had blood and dead rats and some ancient Romanian writings on the wall or something."
Valencia's eyes widened and she bolted out of bed.
"What else do you know?"
"And they also found this book called Demon King and it's about a vampire called Ka-Ke-Cage---a really long K word and---"
"Kehjaikin!"
"Uh, yeah. Who's that?"
"He was the former ruler of the Daemoniacus, before Damian…"
"The one you killed?"
"Yes. That book contains the details of his life."
"He ruled the world?"
"No. Where did you hear that?"
"The reporter said the book said he ruled the world at one time or another. It's not true?"
"No. Kehjaikin always dreamed of ruling the universe and putting all under his command. But that was all it was, a dream. Since the book is an autobiography, he probably just added those false and ridiculous stories so he can seem more powerful than he really is. Those stories are how he imagined it if his dream came true."
"Ok. So, the book's harmless? It doesn't contain any evil spells or secrets ways to take over the world?"
"Of course not. You watch too much TV."
"Just making sure. I don't think anything surprises me anymore. So what are you going to do about Damian and company now that you know where he's at?"
"I'm going to round up the troops and ambuscade them."
"But how are you gonna do that without being noticed? The police are investigating down there and whatnot."
"They don't scrutinize all night, do they?"
"No."
"Alright then. We'll attack just before nightfall, once the sun cannot harm us. That way we'll confront them still in their sleep or on their way out."
"Cool. I'll get my stuff ready."
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
"I mean that there's no need for you to prepare because you're not coming."
"I'm not?"
"No, you're not."
"Why?"
"Because it's best if you stay here. We can handle this without putting you in danger. Besides, you should be here with your mother. Make up for all the time you've lost."
"But I want to help."
"I know you do and I appreciate your courage and unselfishness, but I assure you, it's not necessary. Just enjoy your life. Enjoy being twenty-one."
"But I've got forever to do that," AJ continued to whine.
Valencia smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Behave yourself," she said as she walked out the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. It's daytime."
Chp 16
Chp 14
Home
