“Daddy, that’s not normal, you know it, and so do I. Would you please go in?”

it was when she turned her big brown eyes on him that he caved in. Now he knew why it annoyed Cyra all these years. He chuckled thinking of Cy, her brow would furrow, and then she’d throw her hands up in the air, muttering curses. But when he went in to the doctor, they ran a series of tests. He remembered sitting in the hard office chair, and his Physician looking at him gravely.

“Mr. Allen, I’m not going to sugar coat it. It’s your heart. the years of stress, bad diets, smoking, I’m sorry. Not even a transplant would help. It would only put off the inevitable. Your whole circulatory system is falling apart, and the results of the hard living has also taken a toll on your liver and kidneys.”

Rick sat stunned. Then he shook it off. “How long?”

“Could be anytime. Could be six months from now, could be six years, could even be six minutes. We just don’t know. What I suggest you do, is get your affairs in order and enjoy each day like a treasure.”

In the end, Rick went home, and called Cyra.

“hi luv, wot’s up? He turned around and there she was. Still beautiful. her eyes clear, skin smooth. not a trace of white in her glorious red gold hair. He got up from his chair, and hugged her.

“thanks for coming so fast Cy.” he looked off in the distance. “Cy, it’s my ticker. and there’s nothing that can be done. The doc said it could be anytime or it could be sometime from now.”

Cyra got this odd look on her face, kind of blank, like she was looking right thru him, “Rick, I can tell you how long you have. You have three weeks. I’m sorry. but you do have another option if you want it. You can cross over. If you want to do this, I’ll help you get your affairs in order, and you can tell Lauren goodbye.”

He thought a moment, “How will you explain my disappearance?”

She chuckled warmly, “Luv, you scuba dive don’t you? You have an accident while diving. I’ll make sure enough ‘evidence’ is found to ensure closure.”

He sat staring out at the sunset, a pensive look on his face. “Cy? Wot’s your real name? I mean how long have you been around?”

“Rick, I’m really not sure I should tell you but I will. My real name is Nadya Anastasia Rostyovich. I was born on the Russian Steppes in the year 279 AD. I lived my life on the steppes. I learned to ride, I learned to hunt, in fact, I was one of the few women warriors. I married, and I bore my husband 14 children. Nine of whom lived to adulthood. When I was old and I felt my time near, I left the encampment. I camped by a small stream and began to sing my deathsong.”

Rick listened to her speak, it was so unbelievable. She was 1,734 years old!! It was just so hard to believe. But as unbelievable as it seemed, he knew it was the truth.

“It was near twilight, and I heard someone near. I saw a man and a woman nearby. They asked me if I wanted to live forever. If I wanted my youth. At first, I was scared. But soon I agreed. I felt those teeth in my throat, and I felt myself die. When I awoke, I was like you see me now. My eyes were bright again, and not dim and cloudy with age. My body supple again, my hair no longer whispy and white. I looked like a young woman again. The first few decades were spent learning how to be a vampire.”

She looked out at the now dark sky. “In time, I found another vampire, His name was Connor Illyich Romanov, and I loved him with everything I had in me. he was like the other half of my soul. For nearly a thousand years we were together, Living, loving, learning, savoring anything and everything life had to offer us.

Then in the year 1690, several of us were traveling in France. Conn, and several others, were involved in a small fight. Conn was stabbed, the mortals figured he should have died, but he didn’t, he healed. Cries of witchcraft echoed. And my friends, my lover and mate, my Conn, were tied to stakes and burned before my eyes. And there wasn’t a single thing I could do. I guess I kinda lost it. I wanted revenge. For the first time in my long life, I wanted to kill.

In that small villiage, people began dying. Bodies turned up in horrific ways, all drained of blood. Humans tried to move away, but they were always found. I cleaned out that village, Right down to the last man, woman and child.

Lyra and the others tried to stop me, but they also knew that when a vampire is raging, there’s not a thing one can really do. I’m sure she wondered if I turned rogue, but I think she knew it was my grief, the deep soul deep grief that makes you lose it. In the end, they brought me back home. But I didn’t stay. I turned ownership of the castle and lands over to Lyra, and started searching for the souls of my comrades and my lover. Knowing they would be reborn.”

He heard the slight quaver in her voice, and turned to look. Her face was calm, but as he watched, a single tear slid down her face.

“Rick, I loved that man, I loved him more than anyone else. and that’s how it was until I met you. No, I don’t see you as a replacement for Conn, because you’re not. You’re you. I do know that these years have been the happiest I’ve ever known. I love you as much as I ever did Conn. Rick, I have never once asked you for more than you wanted to give, I’ve never begged for anything. But I’m begging you. Please stay with me forever. let me make you like I am.”

She turned her deep blue eyes on him, he could see the raw naked longing and love she had for him. It was there for him to see.

“Cy, Help me get my affairs in order, stay with me, help me find a way to still play, to still be a musician, Help me find a way to have my cake and eat it too!!” He knelt in front of her, and held her tightly. “I love you Cyra. I’ve always loved you. and yes, I’ll cross over.”

Over the next few days, the two of them worked out Rick’s affairs. His electronic kit and union jack shorts were to be left to the Rock and Roll museum. He decided that he wanted some momentos to keep. Things from his travels and his life. He decided that if he were to pack them up and send them to the coven house, they’d be waiting for him.

Cy offered him his life back. He knew that it would be a major change for him. The simple fact that he would be a killer, gave him pause. But he looked at his friends who’d already crossed over, and of course Cy herself. She was very gentle and loving. If Phil could do it and find peace, he could too. He was actually afraid to make love with her, and he wanted to wait.. the first thing he did in his new life... make love to her.

He had called his accountant, and had him deposit two million pounds in a Swiss account along with half his stock options in Bludgeon/Riffola music, and Def Leppard. He had a few ideas, and when he talked them over with Cyra, she was all for it. He set it up that Lauren would be well taken care of, and any children she would have. He sighed and gazed out at the bright sunlit gardens. This was his home. He’d set it up that it would go to Cyra when he died. He would still live here just in a different way.

He had decided to tell Lauren everything. She’d known about Steve for years, all her life in fact. And she knew about Phil. And he suspected that she knew about Lyra, and even Cyra. Lauren had sat at the table with the two of them, and listened in silence. Rick was starting to get concerned when she looked at Cy and announced.

“Cyra, Would you give me this bond? I know what it means, and all that it entails. I know it means my silence, and I know what I’ll lose. But it means too that the coven and all the members have a mortal contact. Mal has been doing it for years. And daddy, I know why you left Cyra this place, it’s so you can still live here.”

She got up from her chair and wrapped her arms around her father, holding him close. Cyra watched the two of them for a few moments, and then she quietly left the room. Rick should be proud. He had a wonderful daughter, warm, loving, open minded and intelligent. He had the right idea, he’d still be here, just different.

Cyra felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to look into Lauren’s eyes. At 17, she was tall, and slender, blonde haired, and brown eyed. She’d inherited her mother’s common sense, and her father’s sense of humor.

“Cyra? how does this bond thing work?” she asked.

“Well, it means you can call me, and I’ll hear you, you can feel me, sense me. And I can feel you. I can tell if you’re in danger, and I can even talk to you over distances.”

“You can?” Lauren said breathily.

“Yes, luv I can. As vampires age and reach levels of experience they gain abilities. Lyra’s not even a thousand years old yet. Your father and I are always in touch with each other.”

“Cyra? When my time comes, can I cross over?”

“Sweetheart, let’s cross that bridge when it comes.” Cyra told her, gently smoothing the hair from Lauren’s face. As for the bond, do you trust me babe?” Lauren nodded, and bared her throat. Cyra gently licked the spot on the young woman’s neck, and then ever so gently, bit down.

Lauren gasped softly, feeling the slight pain, and then the soft pull on her neck. Lauren felt a gentle warm lassitude, and a feeling of such love and respect. and she realized that Cyra was showing her how she felt about her. And then Cyra pulled her fangs out gently and licked the twin holes in Lauren’s throat sealing and healing them closed. The two women turned around to find Rick lookin on, approval clear in his face. He gave his daughter a warm hug and told her to go lay down for a while. Lauren nodded, feeling a sudden tiredness.

“Well?” he asked Cyra when Lauren was out of earshot.

“She’s healthy as the proverbial horse, and she shows great promise. Oh, and luv, she’s still a virgin.” Cyra laughed at the expression on Rick’s face. And the pair of them stood holding each other close chuckling softly.